Japanese television has aired a video allegedly showing the killing of a veteran Japanese journalist covering pro-democracy protests in Burma.
The Fuji television network has been showing footage (obtained from the Democratic Voice of Burma) today that appears to show a man, identified as Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai, being thrown to the ground by a soldier and shot at close range.
The Burmese military government has acknowledged that the Japanese national was killed in Thursday's violence.
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda ruled out immediately imposing sanctions on Burma. Japan -- Burma's largest aid donor -- says it will decide whether to suspend humanitarian aid after it investigates.
Mr. Fukuda has sent Deputy Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka to Burma, where he is expected to press for an investigation and punishment of those responsible.
Japanese officials in Burma have said Nagai appears to have died from a gunshot wound to his chest.
Media rights groups and Burmese dissidents are urging Japan to impose sanctions on Burma in the wake of Nagai's death.
The 50-year-old journalist worked for the Japanese photo and video agency APF.
