Reporter's body returned to Japan

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The body of a Japanese video journalist shot dead in Burma last week during the government's crackdown on pro-democracy protests has been returned to Japan.

An autopsy will be held to determine Kenji Nagai's exact cause of death.

Japanese officials have said that he was shot at close range and not hit accidentally by a stray bullet as Burmese authorities have said.

Mr Nagai's employers at APF News are demanding that Burma returns the camera he held in his hand when he was killed.

Burmese authorities have only returned a second camera that Mr Nagai is believed to have used as a back-up.

"Our biggest task now is to confirm and report on what's in [his camera] and what he wanted to tell the people on his last day," said Toru Yamaji, the head of APF News.

Climate of fear

On Wednesday, Japan's Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said that aid to Burma might be suspended.

Japan is Burma's largest aid donor.

The EU has agreed in principle to toughen existing sanctions against Burma and is reportedly looking at ways of specifically targeting its military rulers.

<a class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7022475.stm">Buddhist monk's view</a> <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7024825.stm">Waiting game in Rangoon</a> <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7019882.stm">Exiles in desperate conditions</a>

US President George W Bush has already announced tighter sanctions and travel restrictions against the junta and its supporters.

Two weeks of mass anti-government protests led by Buddhist monks ended last week when soldiers and police moved against demonstrators.

Scores of monks are reported to be trying to leave Burma's main city, Rangoon, following the bloody crackdown.

A correspondent in Rangoon said many monasteries are still refusing to accept donations from the military - a hugely symbolic act in the devout nation.

Authorities said 10 people were killed as security forces used tear gas, bullets and baton charges to end the protests, but foreign diplomats and pro-democracy dissidents fear the number is many times higher.

Curfews and night-time police raids are continuing in Rangoon and correspondents describe a climate of fear in the city.

The UN special envoy, who has visited the country, is preparing a report on his talks with Burma's leaders.

Ibrahim Gambari met senior general Than Shwe as well as pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest.

He is expected to brief both UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council later this week.

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