Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi says she would participate in the nation's new government if her National League for Democracy decided that was the best way forward.

In an interview broadcast Monday by Japan's public broadcaster NHK, the Nobel laureate said pro-democracy activists have a responsibility to try to strengthen the forces for change within the new government. She said she feels that President Thein Sein, whom she met last month, is ready to implement necessary changes for democratization.

She also urged the Burmese government to take concrete actions, including the release of political prisoners. She said the government's efforts at reform will be insufficient until they win broad public support.

Burma's military regime held elections last year under rules that made it impossible for opposition parties to compete effectively. In March, it handed power to a nominally civilian government dominated by former military officers.

The new administration has taken cautious steps to ease its tight control of news media and reach out to some of its critics. But it continues to hold more than 2,000 political prisoners.