Your Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,

May I, as Head of State and President of the Interim Shan Government, on behalf of the Shan people of the Federated Shan States, take this opportunity to congratulate Your Excellency on the auspicious occasion of your election as the 90th Prime Minister of Japan.

We the Shan Nation declared ourselves free on 17th April 2005 when we declared independence by constitutional right under the 1947 Panglong Treaty, which was unilaterally abrogated following the military coup by General Ne Win in 1962.  We the Shan people decided to assert and  reclaim our right to freedom following the elapse of ten years of the 1948 Union on trial basis that was enshrined in the 1948, now defunct, Union Constitution.

When Shan People look to Japan, we are often reminded with fond memories of our past association with Japanese People who showed loving kindness and concern for our Shan children and their advancement for education during the Second World War. But more importantly, it was the progressive political outlook of Japan in association with its prewar doctrine of “Co-prosperity Sphere” that had a profound impact on many Shan leaders. This was due to the policy of the Japanese Government under the then Prime Minister General Tojo who recognized the Shan States as a Protectorate State and as a separate administration of the  Federated Shan States, apart from “Burma Proper” which continued to practise the policy  under British diarchic rule.

The news of Your Excellency's election as Japan’s Prime Minister who is committed to promoting the welfare of the ordinary citizens of Japan, is a reflection of the enduring Japanese spirit that resulted in national achievement

unparalleled in the history of modern world, has given us the Shan People great joy and  hope for our own development and prosperity. 

We watched Japan with awe and admiration as she emerged from the brink of destruction to a highly industrialized nation and one of the world’s greatest economic powers without compromising its core values and culture.
There is no doubt that these achievements are attributable to the highly capable and visionary Japanese leadership as expounded by Your Excellency's “THE ASIAN GATEWAY VISION”.

I can assure Your Excellency, we the Shan people as an emerging new nation-state, are proud to see Japan’s continued leadership role for the advancement of democracy in Asia with  whom we share fundamental values of freedom, peace, justice, prosperity, and basic human rights in civilized society.

In accordance with your vision and aspiration to see Japan not only as a beautiful country that is  trusted, respected and admired by all - we the Shan People support your bid to a seat as a Permenant Member of the UN Security Council, once the Shan nation-state and federation gains entry to the United Nations.

Once again may I wish Your Excellency great success in all your endeavours in these challenging times ahead.

With great esteem and yours truly,

( signed & sealed by)

H.R.H. Prince Surkhanpha
President & Head of State,
Interim Shan Government Federated Shan States.

Copies: The Embassy of Japan, Thailand,
              Tai/Shan Association of Japan.

Tel/Fax: 02-993-8191, Website: http://www.taigov.org