Burma’s state-controlled media said today that a Japanese journalist, killed during a crackdown on recent pro-democracy protests, was to blame for his own death because he put himself in harm’s way.

Japan will press Burma for a full account of the death of a Japanese journalist during a violent crackdown on anti-government protests, officials said today.

Burma’s military rulers have declared no-go zones around five key Buddhist monasteries in a bid to quash anti-government demonstrations.

Soldiers in Burma opened fire on thousands of anti-government protesters today, killing at least nine people and injuring 11.

Japan’s new foreign minister said today that his country holds Burma accountable for the death of a Japanese journalist found after the military opened fire on a crowd of pro-democracy protesters.