Japan's Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki paid a courtesy call on Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Mustafa Jabbar at his office in the capital.
During the meeting on Tuesday, they exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest, especially in the field of digital technology, including 5G. Apart from this, the Ambassador also informed the Minister about Japan's candidature for the post of Director of Telecommunications Standardization in the forthcoming ITU elections to be held next September.
The Minister for Posts and Telecommunications mentioned the excellent relations between Bangladesh and Japan. He said Japan is a genuine friend of Bangladesh. The Minister said Japan is a major partner of Bangladesh in socio-economic and infrastructure development. Contrary to the notion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Minister described the concept of society's five-point zero as very humane, saying that Japan valued man first and then machine. We also think that technology cannot be a substitute for human beings. He said that Japan has introduced the first 5G in the world and Bangladesh has also entered the era of 5G technology. He said that the important role of 5G ITU standardization will play a role in changing the whole world. The Minister expressed hope that Japan would play a big role in this.
The Ambassador handed over a letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan (KANEKO) to the Minister regarding Japan's candidacy for the post of Director of Telecommunications Standardization in the ITU elections. The Minister informed the Ambassador that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been informed about the candidature of Japan and his department will act as directed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After Bangabandhu became an ITO member in 1973, global telecommunication in Bangladesh has been playing an important role in this forum.
Haruta Hiroki, First Secretary and Head of Economic Department of the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh was present during the meeting.