United News of Bangladesh

Japan will host the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 60th Annual Meeting in Aichi-Nagoya from May 2 to 5, 2027. The event will coincide with ADB’s 60th anniversary, marking six decades of partnership since the bank’s establishment. “It is fitting to mark six decades of partnership and transformation in Japan, a founding member and one of our largest shareholders,” said ADB President Masato Kanda. “The 60th Annual Meeting will be more than a celebration. It will be a moment to look to the future. I have high expectations for great success at this milestone event.” The Future Host Country Event, which showcased the tradition, culture, and high technology of Aichi-Nagoya, was held at ADB’s Annual Meeting in Samarkand. It was joined by Japan's Deputy Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs Shuichi Hosoda, Mayor of Nagoya City Ichiro Hirosawa, and Vice Governor of Aichi Prefecture Shinichiro Furumoto. During the Samarkand meeting, Minister of Finance of Japan Satsuki Katayama assumed the role of Chair of the Board of Governors for the upcoming year. Themed Forging Partnerships, Driving Transformation, the Aichi-Nagoya meeting will provide a platform to reflect on Asia and the Pacific’s remarkable progress since ADB was established in Manila in December 1966, and to discuss the future of the region. The Annual Meeting is ADB’s premier gathering, providing an opportunity for Governors from ADB’s members to discuss the complex development challenges facing Asia and the Pacific while offering guidance on the bank’s administrative, financial, and operational directions. Thousands of participants, including finance ministers, central bank governors, private sector leaders, international organizations, civil society, and media regularly join the meeting. Japan’s longstanding commitment to ADB is reflected in its history of hosting the Annual Meeting every decade since the inaugural gathering in Tokyo in 1966, with the most recent one being in Yokohama in 2017. Beyond hosting, Japan remains a cornerstone of ADB’s operational capacity, serving as one of the bank’s largest shareholders. Furthermore, Japan has contributed and committed significant resources to ADB’s trust funds. This includes the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, the bank’s largest single-donor trust fund, which drives critical poverty reduction and social development activities across the region. Founded in 1966, ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet.

Japanese Prime Minister’s special envoy and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister SUZUKI Norikazu on Wednesday expressed his country’s interest in expanding cooperation with Bangladesh in technology and agriculture sectors. During a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban office in the afternoon, he also stressed the need to effectively advance the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan, said a PMO release. The Japanese minister, who is leading a high-level delegation, also invited the Prime Minister, on behalf of Japan, to visit their country. In response, the Prime Minister expressed hope of making an official visit at a convenient time. During the meeting, SUZUKI Norikazu congratulated Tarique Rahman on assuming office of Prime Minister on behalf of the Japanese government and expressed hope for taking Bangladesh-Japan relations to new heights. He also showed interest in increasing exports of Japanese food products to Bangladesh. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh and Japan are long-tested friends, noting that one of the current government’s top priorities is creating employment opportunities for young people. He called for boosting Japanese investment in the agriculture, electronics and automobile sectors.

Japan on Tuesday removed its long-standing ban on exporting lethal weapons, marking a significant shift from its post-World War II pacifist stance as it looks to strengthen its defense industry amid rising concerns over China and North Korea. The Cabinet of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi approved new guidelines that pave the way for a wider range of arms exports, including domestically developed warships, combat drones and other military equipment. The move has been welcomed by key defense partners such as Australia and has drawn interest from countries in Southeast Asia and Europe. US Ambassador to Japan George Glass described it as a “historic step” that would strengthen defense cooperation between allies. However, China strongly criticized the decision, warning that the international community would oppose what it called Japan’s shift toward militarism. Critics within Japan also argue the move goes against the country’s pacifist constitution and could raise global tensions. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the new policy aims to enhance Japan’s security and contribute to regional and global stability as the security environment evolves. He added that the government will promote defense equipment transfers strategically to strengthen the country’s industrial base. Japan has traditionally restricted arms exports under its pacifist constitution, though recent changes allowed limited exports for non-combat purposes such as rescue, transport and surveillance. The new rules remove those restrictions, allowing exports of items like fighter jets, missiles and destroyers. Initially, such exports will be limited to 17 countries that have defense equipment and technology agreements with Japan. Each deal will require approval from the National Security Council, with strict monitoring of how the equipment is used. Officials said Japan will maintain strict controls and will not supply lethal weapons to countries engaged in active conflict, though exceptions could be considered. Japan began easing its export rules in 2014 by allowing non-lethal military supplies. In 2023, it further relaxed restrictions to permit exports of certain licensed weapons, enabling it to supply US-designed Patriot missiles to the United States. The revised policy also supports joint development projects, including a next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy, and a major naval deal with Australia. Under that agreement, Japan will supply advanced frigates and collaborate on building additional vessels. Japan is also working to expand its domestic defense industry, which has struggled in the past due to limited demand. With growing security concerns involving China, North Korea and Russia, the government is encouraging investment in defense production, including drones and dual-use technologies. Officials say the new export framework will help deepen defense cooperation with partners and strengthen regional deterrence. Takaichi emphasized that Japan remains committed to its pacifist principles while adapting to new security challenges. Several countries, including New Zealand and the Philippines, have already shown interest in Japanese defense equipment. Meanwhile, NATO representatives recently visited Japan to explore closer cooperation in defense and technology.

A strong earthquake measuring a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck off northern Japan on Monday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami alert for the region. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake hit off the Sanriku coast at around 4:53 pm (0753 GMT), at a depth of about 10 kilometers beneath the seabed. Public broadcaster NHK reported that tsunami waves of up to 3 meters could reach coastal areas shortly.

A small town at the foot of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji is facing unexpected challenges as tourists flock to see cherry blossoms and the mountain’s snow-capped peak. What began with a beautiful photo shared on social media has turned into a source of tension for locals. Visitors eager to capture the perfect shot of Mount Fuji rising behind a red pagoda quickly filled the peaceful streets of Fujiyoshida. Along with the crowds came complaints of traffic jams, litter, and some tourists entering private homes to use toilets or even relieving themselves in front yards. The situation became so severe that city officials canceled this year’s annual cherry blossom festival, originally created a decade ago to promote tourism. Masatoshi Hada, manager of Fujiyoshida’s Economics and Environment Department, said, “This area is primarily an ordinary residential neighborhood, where balancing tourism with the safety of residents’ daily life has become difficult. We decided not to promote a festival that would invite more visitors.” Even without the festival, tourists packed the town on sunny early-April days when cherry blossoms were at their peak. Narrow streets leading to Arakurayama Sengen Park were crowded as visitors lined up to film the world-famous views. In recent years, foreign tourists have exceeded 10,000 per day in the area, a number the city says has “threatened residents’ daily lives.” Overtourism is not unique to Fujiyoshida. Other popular destinations in Japan, such as Kyoto and Kamakura, have faced similar problems, including congested buses and crowded streets. Locals refer to the issue as “tourism pollution,” which has sparked wider debate as Japan seeks to balance economic growth through tourism with community well-being. The government has set a target to increase annual foreign visitors from 40 million to 60 million by 2030, even as some local communities struggle to cope. To manage crowds, Fujiyoshida increased security and restricted vehicle access to the scenic neighborhood, asking visitors to reach the park on foot. Security guard Hiroaki Nagayama said, “Some people buy food at stalls and leave litter behind. I think what’s happening here is a typical example of overtourism.” Residents also expressed mixed feelings. Ninety-three-year-old Hitoshi Mori said, “Having many visitors is good but annoying. It’s too crowded, so I can only shop once a week.” Tourists, meanwhile, continue to enjoy the views despite the crowds and strict rules. Lisa Goerdert from Paris said, “It was amazing. We had only a few minutes to take pictures, but it was worth it.” Overtourism has divided locals. Some have opened businesses like shops, food stalls, and toll parking, while others long for quiet. Masami Nakamura, a school uniform shop owner, said, “I hope tourists respect our rules and manners.” Meanwhile, hotel employee Kyoko Funakubo, who also sells Fuji-themed souvenirs, said the influx has brought new life to previously quiet streets.  

Japan on Wednesday marked the 15th anniversary of the devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster that struck its northeastern coast, as the government pushes for increased use of atomic energy. The magnitude 9.0 quake and resulting tsunami on March 11, 2011, killed more than 22,000 people and forced nearly 500,000 to flee their homes, mostly due to flooding. In Fukushima, around 160,000 residents evacuated after radiation leaked from the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, with about 26,000 still living elsewhere due to lingering radiation fears or restrictions in their hometowns. At 2:46 p.m., the country observed a moment of silence, marking the exact time the quake struck. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, speaking at a ceremony in Fukushima, vowed to accelerate the region’s recovery over the next five years and to continue sharing “the valuable lessons learned from the disaster.” She has also pushed for faster restarts of nuclear reactors, supporting nuclear power as a stable energy source following a policy reversal in 2022 that ended a decade-long phase-out. Early Wednesday, some residents of the tsunami-hit areas visited the coast to pray for missing loved ones. Over one million homes, schools, and offices in Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, and other coastal regions were destroyed or damaged. While infrastructure has largely been rebuilt, community and economic recovery has been slow, with many residents relocating permanently. At Fukushima Daiichi, meltdowns occurred in three of six reactors, with at least 880 tons of melted fuel still inside. Radiation levels prevent full inspection, and large-scale removal is not expected until 2037 or later. Decontamination efforts produced massive amounts of slightly radioactive soil—enough to fill 11 baseball stadiums which the government plans to move, including for public works, but faces local resistance.  

Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi on Thursday said his country remains committed to supporting vulnerable populations in Bangladesh, including Rohingyas and their host Bangladeshi communities. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a new contribution of USD $6.7 million (JPY 1.05 billion) from the government of Japan to support Rohingyas and host community smallholder farmers in Cox’s Bazar. “Through this partnership with WFP, Japan aims to contribute to food security, improved nutrition and the overall wellbeing of Rohingya families, particularly women and children,” said the Ambassador. At the same time, he said, it is also important to support Bangladeshis in improving their food security by addressing pressing challenges related to climate change and market access. With this contribution, WFP will deliver lifesaving food assistance to Rohingyas and provide nutrition services to pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under five. The funding will also enable WFP to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers within the host communities by implementing an aggregation centre model. These centres facilitate the consolidation of agricultural produce and improve access to local markets and humanitarian supply chain, thereby providing fresh vegetables, eggs, and rice to Rohingya families. WFP’s provides Rohingya families with monthly food vouchers to purchase food items including rice, lentils, oil and other essentials, as well as fresh vegetables and protein-rich foods at designated outlets, according to the WFP. Under nutrition activities, pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children receive malnutrition prevention and treatment services including specialized nutrition products, growth monitoring, nutrition education, and behaviour change communication. In host communities, this funding will allow WFP to repair agricultural infrastructure damaged by floods and cyclones, restoring vital supply routes for local farmers. The funding will also equip aggregation centres with cold storage and modern food processing facilities to improve the quality and value of locally produced food. Since early 2024, nearly 150,000 additional Rohingya have fled to Cox’s Bazar camps due to intensified fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, pushing the total population to nearly 1.2 million. Despite the rising needs, dwindling international support has placed the humanitarian response at risk. Unless additional funding is secured to fill a USD 150 million gap, WFP’s food and nutrition services for Rohingya families could face major disruptions starting in April 2026. “At a time when humanitarian needs in Cox’s Bazar remain extraordinarily high, this funding from the Government of Japan is both timely and critical,” said Simone Parchment, WFP Bangladesh Country Director a.i. “We are deeply grateful for Japan’s steadfast commitment to the Rohingya and Bangladeshi host communities. For years, Japan’s support has been central to WFP’s lifesaving and life-changing mission in Bangladesh. We call on other donors to also step up to safeguard the lives, wellbeing and dignity of vulnerable communities such as the Rohingya.” Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a consistent supporter of the Rohingya humanitarian response in Bangladesh, contributing over USD 260 million to WFP and other UN agencies and non- governmental organizations, including through this latest contribution.

The Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh has appreciated the credible conduct of the 13th parliamentary elections by the people of Bangladesh and congratulated all political parties and leaders, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its Chairman Tarique Rahman, on their victory. In a message shared on February 15, the Japanese embassy said it expects the smooth and peaceful formation of a new government and expressed its interest in further advancing the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. 

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the historic and landslide victory of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), noting that the Bangladesh government looks forward to working closely with her administration to strengthen Dhaka-Tokyo partnership further. “The government of Bangladesh looks forward to working closely with your administration to further strengthen our partnership, deepen economic and technological cooperation, and advance our shared priorities for mutual benefit,” he said in a message to Takaichi. Takaichi’s governing party secured a two-thirds supermajority in parliamentary elections. Feb-12 polls must be fair, with no room for bias: Prof Yunus The landslide victory was due, in large part, to the extraordinary popularity of Japan’s first female prime minister, and allowed her to pursue a significant conservative shift in Japan’s security, immigration and other policies. “On behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, and on my own behalf, I extend my warmest congratulations on the historic and landslide victory of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) under your leadership in the election to the House of Representatives held on 8 February 2026,” Prof Yunus said. He said this decisive mandate reflects the strong confidence and trust placed in her leadership and vision by the people of Japan. “I am confident that, under your continued stewardship, Japan will further advance stability, prosperity, and constructive engagement both regionally and globally,” Prof Yunus said. He said Bangladesh attaches highest importance to its long-standing and trusted partnership with Japan. “We remain deeply appreciative of Japan's consistent support for Bangladesh's development, including our cooperation in quality infrastructure and connectivity, which has made a lasting contribution to our people and economy,” said the Chief Adviser. Prof Yunus conveyed her best wishes for her good health and success, and for the continued peace, progress, and well-being of the people of Japan. Spain’s deadly train crash saddens Prof Yunus

Japanese stocks surged on Monday as markets reacted positively to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s landslide victory in the snap general election, which media outlets described as a historic result. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index jumped more than five percent in early trading, briefly crossing the 57,000 mark for the first time. The Japanese yen also strengthened against the US dollar, while government bond prices fell. Public broadcaster NHK projected that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured 316 seats in the 465 member lower house. Together with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, the alliance won a total of 352 seats, giving it a two thirds majority. This marks the strongest election result for a single party in post war Japan since the current parliamentary system was established in 1947. Takaichi called the snap election after becoming Japan’s first female prime minister last October through a vote by lawmakers. She sought a direct mandate from voters, a move that was widely seen as risky but ultimately paid off. The victory reverses recent political setbacks for the LDP, which had lost its majority under previous leaders. The election came at a time when Japan is facing rising living costs, weak economic growth and pressure from an ageing population. Market analysts said investors welcomed the political stability created by the decisive result. Takaichi has pledged to cut taxes, increase government spending and push pro business reforms, which helped boost market confidence. Speaking earlier, Takaichi said her priority would be reviving the economy, raising wages and addressing the cost of living crisis. She has also promised higher defence spending, stricter immigration rules and a review of foreign ownership of land. US President Donald Trump congratulated Takaichi and her coalition on what he called a landslide victory. He praised her leadership and reaffirmed strong support for Japan, one of Washington’s closest allies. Takaichi now faces the challenge of delivering economic recovery while managing strained ties with China and navigating domestic debate over her conservative views on social and gender issues.   With inputs from BBC