Japan has always been the single biggest bilateral development partner for Bangladesh. Last year, the amount of ODA, Official Development Assistance, to Bangladesh was around two hundred billion yen, which is equivalent to about 1.8 billion US dollars. This is a record, the largest-ever yen loan support to Bangladesh for one year.
A number of big development projects including three bridges of Shitalakshya, Meghna and Gumti, Jamuna Railway Bridge, Dhaka Int’l Airport 3rd Terminal, Dhaka Metro Lines and Matarbari port and power plant and some others are underway in Bangladesh with the assistance of Japan.
Japan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Hiroyasu Izumi said this at a reception hosted by him to celebrate His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito’s accession to the Imperial throne ‘Accession Celebration’ on the Embassy premises recently.
Dr. A K Abdul Momen, MP, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh was present at the reception as the chief guest. In his speech, Dr Momen stated: “I believe that in the new era, ‘Reiwa’, the deep bond of friendship between our two countries will grow stronger and even stronger.’ ‘I am confident that as in the past, Japan will continue to be our trusted partner in our endeavor to realize Prime Minister Sheikh Hashina’s Vision 2021,’ he added.
Prime Minister’s Advisor for Private Investment and Investment Salman Rahman, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resource Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, and other dignitaries including government officials, representatives of diplomatic missions or international organizations shared the joy to celebrate the opening of the new Imperial Era, ‘Reiwa’, meaning ‘Beautiful Harmony’.
Mentioning about Japan’s support for Bangladesh’s development, Ambassador said: “I am pleased to inform you that Bangladesh is now the second largest recipient of Japan’s ODA in the world. This fact is attracting Japanese companies to Bangladesh increasingly, and now 279 Japanese companies are working in Bangladesh. I am expecting that this number will rapidly increase in the coming years. I always have this in mind that we are creating Bangladesh’s bright future together with all of you.”
Ambassador mentioned: “When we turn to the relation between Japan and Bangladesh, these coming three years will be of significant importance. The year 2021 is the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, and the following 2022 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relationship.”
Looking back the era of ‘Heisei’, meaning ‘achieving peace’, which started in 1989 and lasted for the past three decades, we can say Japan had always maintained peaceful relations with the rest of the world. His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus Akihito, along with Her Majesty the Empress Emerita Michiko, had always been sharing joys and sorrows of the people praying for world peace and the happiness of the people. And in case there were natural disasters such as earthquakes or typhoons, Their Majesties have at all times been showing profound compassion through their own hearing from those who suffered. I would like to express my sincere respect and appreciation for the tireless effort of Their Majesties which made the era of Heisei such a peaceful period of time for Japan.”
The name of the new Imperial Era ‘Reiwa’ stands for ‘Beautiful Harmony’. In the address made immediately after the accession to the Imperial Throne, His majesty the Emperor Naruhito also mentioned that he sincerely prays for the happiness of the people and the further development of the nation as well as emphasizing the importance of establishing peace of the world. In the era of Reiwa, we Japanese will continue to work on creating peaceful relationships with other countries.
In his speech, Ambassador Izumi expressed his respect and appreciation for the abdicated Emperor Emeritus Akihito, thanking him for his compassion. Also, Ambassador Izumi wished all happiness and prosperity in the new era of ‘Beautiful Harmony’, and beyond.
