Japan refused to issue visas for two Myanmar diplomats appointed by the military junta, which seeks to replace them with two members of the embassy in Tokyo fired in March, Kyodo news agency reported.

Issuing the diplomatic visas would mean recognizing the Feb. 1 military coup that seized power from the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains detained.

Japan does not recognize the junta as a legitimate governing body.