The 17-day photo exhibition "A Visit to Japan by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1973" was inaugurated at the Liberation War Museum Thursday.

Since 1973, the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka has kept these 50 original photos with utmost care.

These historic photos were showcased at the museum for the first time. The exhibition will continue till March 26.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Japan, the Embassy of Japan and the Liberation War Museum organised the exhibition.

While speaking as the chief guest, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said: "I must register my thanks to the government of Japan and the people, who have preserved these photos over the last 50 years."

"To Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Japan was an example. He wanted to develop Bangladesh like Japan, a developed country."

Bangabandhu could not do that as he was assassinated within three-and-half-year of his tenure, the minister said, but the help, assistance of Japan would last 50 years.

Japan has been the highest and the biggest development partner of Bangladesh over the last 50 years, he added. "I strongly believe that to make our dream real Japan will continuously help us in the future as well."

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki said at the time of Bangabandhu's visit, the Japanese people strongly supported the cause of Bangladesh's independence.

He said they extended heartfelt sympathy to war-torn Bangladesh, mirroring their experiences since 1945.

"At the banquet in honour of Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei conveyed in person that Japan will continue to support Bangladesh's nation-building. That is how Japan's journey as a prominent development partner began," the ambassador added.

Bangabandhu paved the way for subsequent cooperation and friendship between the two countries, Ito Naoki said. "In line with what he laid out, we have been proceeding with a series of collaborations with Bangladesh."

The ambassador reiterated that they would like to make this milestone year a start of the new era of the Japan-Bangladesh relationship.

"This embassy will make the utmost effort to deepen further the multi-faceted relations, mutual understanding, and exchange of the two peoples throughout the year. Japan will stand by Bangladesh as a true friend."

Mofidul Hoque, trustee of the Liberation War Museum, delivered the welcome speech at the programme.

The Japanese foreign minister's commendation was conferred upon the Liberation War Museum in recognition of its service in contributing to promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Bangladesh.

Since its inception in 1996, the Liberation War Museum has cooperated with Japan in various events, including the annual Hiroshima Day.