Japan pushes to remove Myanmar from FATF blacklist

Japan is urging the global financial watchdog to remove Myanmar from its blacklist. The move aims to ease transaction checks and support economic recovery after the 2021 coup.

FILE PHOTO: Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing inspects an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony ahead of his meeting with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Azneal Ishak/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Japan is pushing a global financial watchdog to remove Myanmar from its blacklist to ease cross-border transactions and boost commercial ties. The move represents a major diplomatic push to reintegrate the military-backed government into the international financial system. Removing Myanmar from the restrictive list would lower compliance barriers for multinational corporations operating in the country.