Tokyo
Dhaka, Tokyo to work towards building a “strategic” relationship
Bangladesh and Japan have agreed to further intensify their existing excellent ties and work towards building a “strategic” relationship.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen had an extensive meeting with Japanese Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Shigeo Yamada in Tokyo on Tuesday as part of regular Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) to comprehensively discuss the bilateral relations, regional and global issues.
Bangladesh Ambassador Shahabuddin Ahmed and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo also attended the meeting.
Officials in Dhaka and Tokyo are now working to finalize the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan to take place soon.
Both sides recalled Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic visit to Japan in 1973 which cemented the bilateral relations.
Japan highly appreciated the well planned and structured approach to development led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through her visions 2021 and 2041, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As part of building stronger bonds, Japan suggested partnership with Bangladesh in further developing the southern Chattogram area centering on the Matarbari Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI) project in the context of connectivity.
Also Read: Japan, UNHCR sign $4.5 million agreement to support Rohingyas in Bangladesh
Both sides agreed that these projects being built under Japan’s Big-B initiative have potentials to benefit not only Bangladesh but also the entire region.
Both sides discussed issues of bilateral relations in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, especially ICT and high-tech industries, blue economy, health, human resource development, capacity development in maritime security, disaster management and defense cooperation.
By emphasizing to promote connectivity in the coming days, Foreign Secretary Masud appreciated the Japanese involvement in Bangladesh’s development projects including the Matharbari, Metro Rail and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Japanese senior deputy minister appreciated Bangladesh’s growth in spite of the pandemic and global economic downturn.
The foreign secretary expressed his gratitude for COVID-related assistance extended by Japan including vaccine provision and direct budgetary support for the next couple of years.
Japanese senior deputy minister assured that Japan will continue to support in all development projects of Bangladesh related to connectivity.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the inauguration of the first phase of Bangladesh Special Economic Zone at Araihazar and Metro Rail.
Also Read: Japanese PM's special advisor for human rights issues visits Bangladesh
Bangladesh hopes that this economic zone will attract more Japanese investments since Bangladesh attaches high importance to the bilateral relations with Japan and will facilitate Japanese investors in this regard.
The foreign secretary also appraised Biman’s plan to resume its flights to Tokyo in the running year.
Japanese Deputy Minister Yamada welcomed the idea and stated that the proposed air-link would help greater people to people contact and promote businesses.
The FS stressed the urgency for early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their ancestral homes at the Rakhaine state of Myanmar.
The Japanese side stated that they would continue their assistance to Bangladesh in this regard.
The foreign secretary invited Japanese Senior Deputy Minister Yamada to visit Bangladesh for the next FOC in 2024.
Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo marks Ekushey February
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Japanese capital Tokyo observed the Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day on Tuesday with due respect, solemnity and enthusiasm.
The day began with offering of wreaths at the altar of a makeshift Shaheed Minar located on the Embassy premises at dawn.
Expatriate Bangladeshis and invited Japanese friends of Bangladesh along with Embassy officials attended the programme.
Ambassador Shahabuddin Ahmed hoisted the national flag at half-mast along with rendition of national anthem at the Embassy premises.
One minute of silence was observed in memory of the Language Martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to establish the right of mother tongue, Bangla, in 1952.
Later, the programme resumed indoors with offering special prayers (munajat) for the salvation of the souls of the Language Martyrs and Martyrs of Liberation War.
Prayers were also offered for the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members, for the wellbeing of the expatriate Bangladeshi community and for peace and prosperity of the country.
The messages by the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Director-General of UNESCO issued on the occasion of “Shaheed Dibash" and the “International Mother Language Day” were read out by Embassy officials.
Read more: Ekushey observed in Canberra with wider participation of Bangladesh community, foreigners
Ambassador Shahabuddin paid solemn tribute to the Language Martyrs Salam, Barkat, Rafique, Jabbar and many more unknown heroes for their supreme sacrifices for which they attained the right to use mother tongue.
He paid profound respect and gratitude to Bangabandhu, who emerged as a leader through 1952 to 1971 and gave an independent country where they can speak freely in Bangla.
The Ambassador also remembered all his family members with deep respect, including Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib, who embraced martyrdom on the fateful night of 15 August 1975. He also paid his profound respect to four national leaders, 30 lakh freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and two lakh women who were raped during the liberation war of Bangladesh.
The Ambassador said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a vital role in shaping the “language movement’’ of 1952 as a young leader.
In his efforts to uphold the mother tongue Bangla, in his first appearance at the General Assembly of the United Nations, Bangabandhu delivered his speech in Bangla in 1974.
A discussion session was then held with the participation of a significant number of Bangladesh community members and Japanese friends.
Ambassador Masato Watanabe, President, Japan-Bangladesh Society (JBS) shared his experience in Bangladesh and expressed his commitment to strengthen the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan through cultural exchange.
Professor Masaaki Ohashi, Osamu Hayakawa and other members of JBS were present.
A documentary titled “Bangabandhu and the Language Movement” and another titled “My Mother Tongue” outlining the history and significance of the day and cultural aspect of Bangladesh were screened.
Dhaka-Tokyo relations to reach new heights; hopes Shahriar Alam
Highlighting Japan's cooperation in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday hoped that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan would reach new heights.
During the meeting with newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Minister thanked the government of Japan for providing technical and financial support for the implementation of the Metrorail project.
Ambassador Iwama sought the cooperation of the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in fulfilling his duties.
Welcoming the new Ambassador of Japan, the State Minister said that Japan is Bangladesh's single largest bilateral development partner and an important country for trade and investment.
Also Read: New Japanese envoy exchanges views on bilateral interests with foreign secretary
During the meeting, both sides cordially exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest, including Japanese development assistance, human resources development, Rohingya repatriation, cooperation in different multilateral fora etc.
The State Minister appreciated Japan’s continued support for repatriation of Rohingyas and expressed hope that Japan would continue to extend its support towards the early repatriation of the Rohingyas for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
State Minister Alam wished Ambassador Iwama successful tenure in Bangladesh and assured him of full cooperation in discharging his duties.
Where is Alibaba founder Jack Ma? In Tokyo, according to Financial Times
Following Beijing’s crackdown on the tech industry, Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma has been residing in Tokyo for almost six months, according to a Financial Times report published yesterday (November 29, 2022).
The co-founder of Alibaba Group Holding has made frequent journeys to the United States and Israel in addition to visits to the countryside during his time in Japan, according to Financial Times. Ma is a close friend of Alibaba investor and billionaire Masayoshi Son, who founded the Tokyo-based SoftBank Group.
Formerly the richest and most well-known tech figure in China, Ma withdrew from the public eye in recent years after getting into issue with Beijing over his criticism of government regulation, which halted the initial public offering (IPO) of fintech behemoth Ant Group.
Read: Chinese e-tycoon Jack Ma ends silence with online video
After that, China’s private sector came under intense scrutiny, with a focus on limiting the influence of internet companies. Since then, Jack Ma’s infrequent public appearances have drawn a lot of attention.
According to the Financial Times, Ma has restricted himself to a small number of exclusive clubs in Tokyo’s downtown Ginza and Marunouchi neighbourhoods. The report also noted that he has enthusiastically taken up collecting modern art and brought along his personal chef and security team.
In the early stages of the Covid-19 outbreak, Ma, who had previously been a well-known regular at business conventions, oversaw massive international donations of protective gear and other supplies that the world required.
Read: FM thanks Jack Ma, invites him to visit Bangladesh
A report in July said that Ma intended to cede control of Ant Group in order to placate Chinese regulators and resurrect the IPO of the digital payments division.
For the first time ever, Alibaba reported flat sales growth in August as China struggled with a slowing economy and resurgent Covid-19 cases.
The behemoth firm has been placed on a watchlist by US regulators, and if Jack ma's e-commerce venture Alibaba does not abide by disclosure orders, its shares would plummet and it might be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.
Read More: Alibaba appoints new CFO, reshuffles e-commerce businesses.
Dhaka to work closely with Tokyo to take relations to a new height: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has reiterated Bangladesh government’s resolve to work closely with the government of Japan to promote the existing bilateral relations to a new height.
A documentary titled “Welcome Bangabandhu 1973” on the historic visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan on 18-24 October 1973 was screened on Tuesday afternoon at the Foreign Service Academy.
The Japan government-made documentary was screened by the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pay profound respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the 50th anniversary year of Bangladesh-Japan bilateral relations.
Momen joined the event as the chief guest while State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam joined as special guest.
Read:UK ready to send independent observers to Bangladesh national polls: Envoy
Dhaka, Tokyo keen to elevate comprehensive partnership to new height
Bangladesh and Japan have agreed to elevate the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries in the auspicious year of 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations.
This was discussed when Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Honda Taro met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Sunday evening at the State guesthouse Padma.
The Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister expressed the intent of Japan to add new depth and contents to the existing partnership and expected an official visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan later this year to elevate the ‘comprehensive partnership’ to a new height, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The State Minister recalled the historic visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973 which laid the foundation of today’s exemplary bilateral relations between the two countries.
He also recalled the visit of the then Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe to Bangladesh in 2014, when the two countries elevated the bilateral relationship to ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ level.
The State Minister also recalled the successful visits of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019 that have cemented deep-rooted friendly ties between the two countries.
Highly praising Bangladesh’s spectacular socio-economic development under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, particularly Bangladesh’s graduation to a developing country, the Vice-Minister assured Japan’s continued support to the rapid socio-economic development of Bangladesh even after the country’s formal graduation in 2026.
Also read: Bangladesh, India reiterate pledge to work towards citizen-centric consular mechanisms
Both sides also discussed enhancing cooperation in various areas, including bilateral trade, Japanese FDI in Bangladesh, as well as people-to-people connectivity for mutual benefits.
They also expressed the desire to enhance cooperation in international fora, including in the UN, particularly in the areas of SDGs, climate change, migration and UN reforms.
The Vice-Minister also commended Bangladesh’s leadership role in UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities.
The Japanese Vice-Minister HONDA Taro highly appreciated Bangladesh’s role in maintaining regional stability by hosting the Rohingyas and assured to continue Japan’s support towards their safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation.
The State Minister sought Japan’s active support for a durable political solution to the Rohingya crisis.
The Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan visited Bangladesh from July 21-25 to strengthen Bangladesh-Japan bilateral relations.
During the visit, he, along with JICA President Tanaka Akihiko, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
Also read: PM Hasina invited to visit Japan
They also visited the JICA-funded Matarbari Power Plant project, Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps and attended a memorial ceremony in honour of the Holey Artisan victims involved in the MRT project.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs also hosted a dinner in honour of the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Honda Taro at the State guesthouse Padma, where among others, JICA President Tanaka Akihiko, Member of the Parliamentary standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kazi Nabil Ahmed, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Ito Naoki, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Executive Chairman of BIDA, ERD Secretary, Road Transport and Highways Secretary, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary, Managing Director of DMTCL were present.
Abe's body arrives in Tokyo as country mourns ex-PM's death
The body of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was returned to Tokyo on Saturday after he was fatally shot during a campaign speech in western Japan a day earlier.
Abe was attacked in the city of Nara and airlifted to a local hospital but died of blood loss despite emergency treatment including massive blood transfusions. Police arrested the attacker, a former member of Japan's navy, at the scene on suspicion of murder. Police confiscated the homemade gun he used, and several others were later found at his apartment.
The attacker, Tetsuya Yamagami, told investigators he plotted the shooting because he believed rumors that Abe was connected to an organization that he resents, according to police. Japanese media reported that the man had developed hatred toward a religious group his mother was devoted to. The reports did not specify the group.
A black hearse carrying Abe's body and accompanied by his wife, Akie, arrived at his home in Tokyo's upscale residential area of Shibuya, where many mourners waited and lowered their heads as the vehicle passed.
Abe’s assassination ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary election shocked the nation and raised questions over whether security for the former prime minister was adequate.
Police on Saturday said autopsy results showed that a bullet that entered Abe's upper left arm damaged arteries beneath both collar bones, causing fatal massive bleeding.
Some observers who watched videos of the assassination on social media and television noted a lack of attention in the open space behind Abe as he spoke.
A former Kyoto prefectural police investigator, Fumikazu Higuchi, said the footage suggested security was sparse at the event and insufficient for a former prime minister.
“It is necessary to investigate why security allowed Yamagami to freely move and go behind Mr. Abe,” Higuchi told a Nippon TV talk show.
Experts also said Abe was more vulnerable standing on the ground level, instead of atop a campaign vehicle, which reportedly could not be arranged because his visit to Nara was hastily planned the day before.
In videos circulating on social media, the attacker, identified as 41-year-old Yamagami, can be seen with the homemade gun hanging from his shoulder, standing only a few meters (yards) behind Abe across a busy street, and continuously glancing around.
A few minutes after Abe stood at the podium and started his speech — as a local party candidate and their supporters stood and waved to the crowd — Yamagami can be seen firing the first shot, which issued a cloud of smoke, but the projectile apparently missed Abe.
As Abe turned to see where the noise came from, a second shot went off. That shot apparently hit Abe's left arm, missing a bulletproof briefcase raised by a security guard who stood behind the former leader.
Read: Bangladesh observing state mourning paying respect to Abe
Abe fell to the ground, with his left arm tucked in as if to cover his chest. Campaign organizers shouted through loudspeakers asking for medical experts to provide first-aid to Abe, whose heart and breathing had stopped by the time he was airlifted to a hospital where he later pronounced dead.
According to the Asahi newspaper, Yamagami was a contract worker at a warehouse in Kyoto where he was a forklift operator and known as a quiet person who did not mingle with his colleagues. A next-door neighbor at his apartment told Asahi he never met Yamagami, though he recalled hearing noises like a saw being used several times late at night over the past month.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who early on had a frosty relationship with Abe, sent a condolence message to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday, a day after most other world leaders issued their statements.
Xi credited Abe with making efforts to improve China-Japan relations and said he and Abe had reached an important understanding on building better ties, according to a statement posted on China's Foreign Ministry website. He also told Kishida he is willing to work with him to continue to develop neighborly and cooperative relations.
Even though he was out of office, Abe was still highly influential in the governing Liberal Democratic Party and headed its largest faction, but his ultra-nationalist views made him a divisive figure to many.
When he resigned as prime minister, Abe blamed a recurrence of the ulcerative colitis he’d had since he was a teenager. He said then it was difficult to leave many of his goals unfinished, especially his failure to resolve the issue of Japanese abducted years ago by North Korea, a territorial dispute with Russia, and a revision of Japan’s war-renouncing constitution.
That ultra-nationalism riled the Koreas and China, and his push to create what he saw as a more normal defense posture angered many Japanese. Abe failed to achieve his cherished goal of formally rewriting the U.S.-drafted pacifist constitution because of poor public support.
Also read: Japan's tight gun laws add to shock over Abe's assassination
Loyalists said his legacy was a stronger U.S.-Japan relationship that was meant to bolster Japan’s defense capability. But Abe made enemies by forcing his defense goals and other contentious issues through parliament, despite strong public opposition.
Abe was groomed to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. His political rhetoric often focused on making Japan a “normal” and “beautiful” nation with a stronger military and bigger role in international affairs.
Japan is particularly known for its strict gun laws. With a population of 125 million, it had only 10 gun-related criminal cases last year, resulting in one death and four injuries, according to police. Eight of those cases were gang-related. Tokyo had no gun incidents, injuries or deaths in the same year, although 61 guns were seized.
Abe was proud of his work to strengthen Japan’s security alliance with the U.S. and shepherding the first visit by a serving U.S. president, Barack Obama, to the atom-bombed city of Hiroshima. He also helped Tokyo gain the right to host the 2020 Olympics by pledging that a disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant was “under control” when it was not.
He became Japan’s youngest prime minister in 2006, at age 52, but his overly nationalistic first stint abruptly ended a year later, also because of his health.
The end of Abe’s scandal-laden first stint as prime minister was the beginning of six years of annual leadership change, remembered as an era of “revolving door” politics that lacked stability.
When he returned to office in 2012, Abe vowed to revitalize the nation and get its economy out of its deflationary doldrums with his “Abenomics” formula, which combines fiscal stimulus, monetary easing and structural reforms.
He won six national elections and built a rock-solid grip on power, bolstering Japan’s defense role and capability and its security alliance with the U.S. He also stepped up patriotic education at schools and raised Japan’s international profile.
Dhaka, Tokyo to explore possibility of FTA
Bangladesh and Japan have discussed issues related to initiating a joint study towards concluding a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
The two countries also discussed cooperation in different multilateral fora, including supporting each other’s candidatures.
Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Ito Naoki met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at his office on Tuesday and discussed the issues of mutual interest.
READ: Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to resolve Rohingya crisis
The Foreign Minister and the Japanese Ambassador discussed issues of common interest, including exchange of high-level visits on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries, Rohingya repatriation, increasing bilateral trade and Japanese investment in Bangladesh.
Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to resolve Rohingya crisis
Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa has said his country would continue to assist Bangladesh in the efforts to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
He made the assurance when Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen sought more involvement of Japan for an early solution to the Rohingya problem.
During their bilateral meeting at the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Monday, Bangladesh placed the issue of Rohingya problem and steps taken so far including relocation of 30,000 Rohingyas voluntarily to Bhashan Char.
Read: US envoy discusses DSA with law minister
Momen thanked Japan who has come forward to assist Bangladesh as well as for her persistent commitment.
Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to build prosperous future for all: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said the relations between Bangladesh and Japan have steadily grown from strength to strength with accelerated pace in recent years since Bangabandhu's visit to Japan.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman paid the historic visit to Japan in October 1973.
"As we cross the milestone of 50 years of friendship, I’m confident that together we can build a peaceful and prosperous future for all," Dr Momen said.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks while addressing a function on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan that falls on February 10.
Read: Bangladesh-Japan partnership poised to soar high: PM
Dr Momen said since the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009, the two countries have consolidated close cooperation to new heights through trade, investment, development cooperation, education and cultural exchange, and a broad spectrum of people-to-people contacts.
The Embassy of Japan and Ministry of Foreign Affairs cohosted the event at the Foreign Service Academy.