Japan mourns dead Burma reporter

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Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a Japanese journalist killed during protests in Burma.

Kenji Nagai, 50, who was shot as he filmed demonstrations in Rangoon on 27 September, was buried in Tokyo.

Burmese authorities said he was hit by a stray bullet, but Japanese officials believe he was shot by the security forces from close range.

The military government's violent crackdown on the pro-democracy protests sparked international condemnation.

'Determined' reporter

Tributes were paid to the video journalist by his family, colleagues and members of the public in a memorial ceremony in the Japanese capital.

"Honestly speaking, I still can't believe Kenji Nagai is dead," Toru Yamaji, head of APF News for which Mr Nagai had worked, told mourners.

"Mr Nagai showed by his example that we have to go even to dangerous places. We will inherit his determination," Mr Yamaji added.

Than Shwe says he will meet Aung San Suu Kyi but there are conditions

A portrait of the slain reporter was displayed on an altar covered with white flowers as mourners - including many Burmese exiles - paid their last respects.

After almost two weeks of repression, reports from Rangoon say barricades have now been removed from some of the city's main temples and the security situation is easing.

The authorities say they are still holding 1,000 people arrested during the protests - including more than 100 Buddhist monks.

But foreign governments and dissidents fear the real number of detainees could be several times higher.

BBC sources in Burma say as many as 10,000 people - many of them monks - were rounded up for interrogation following the protests.

Pressure is growing on the military rulers to hold talks with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

General Than Shwe, head of the junta, has reportedly agreed to meet Ms Suu Kyi - but only if she ends calls for international sanctions on Burma.

Malaysia is the latest county to urge the general to drop his preconditions for the meeting.

But the international community remains divided on how to deal with the junta.

Countries such as the US, UK and France are campaigning for sanctions - but Burma's South East Asian neighbours, as well as India and China, continue to trade with the regime.