Among the scores of names Myanmar's government recently took off a blacklist were activists, journalists and luminaries from around the world, including former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, an Australian known simply as "Brian" and some politicians no longer alive.

Now in the clear are Corazon Aquino, the late former Philippines president, as well as someone named Sonny Bono, who may or may not be the long-deceased American recording artist.

Their...