Myanmar protesters gather in Japan against coup

Thousands of people from Myanmar sang songs and waved glow sticks as they gathered in Japan's capital on Thursday to protest last week's military coup in their home country.

Many of those in front of United Nations University in downtown Tokyo wore red in support of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose elected government was deposed in the February 1 military takeover.

Some clutched photos of Suu Kyi, while others held up mobile phones where messages like “Justice” and “Save Myanmar” ran across the displays.

The coup reversed significant gains Myanmar had made on the path toward democracy following five decades of military rule.

The reforms that led to Suu Kyi's party winning elections in 2015 led the international community to lift sanctions on the country and there are now threats to reimpose some of them.

Some 33,000 people from Myanmar live in Japan, many of them workers, according to Japanese government data.

While the U.S. has threatened sanctions, Japan’s response has been less clear.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this week, and agreed both nations want Suu Kyi's release from detention, restoration of democratic rule and violence against those protesting the coup to end.