Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi on Monday said Japan remains committed to steadily advancing key projects with the new government in Bangladesh, thereby supporting the country’s continued growth and development.
To further drive this cooperation between the two countries forward, ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals residing in Bangladesh remains the top priority of the Embassy, he said.
"In the field of development cooperation, Japan has been Bangladesh’s largest bilateral development partner, providing assistance across a wide range of sectors," the envoy said in a message.
In particular, the Ambassador highlighted infrastructure projects such as the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), the third terminal of Dhaka International Airport, and the development of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, serve as flagship initiatives under the “Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B)” initiative.
In the field of security cooperation, both countries signed the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology in February this year.
Furthermore, the envoy said Japan is currently making arrangements to deliver patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy within the year through its Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework.
This year notably marks the 10th anniversary of the Dhaka cafe attack.
"We remain fully committed to safeguarding the lives and security of Japanese nationals, ensuring that the memory of this tragedy is never forgotten," the envoy said.
Highlighting the Bangladesh-Japan relations following the inauguration of the new government in February,
Ambassador Saida said the relationship between the two countries has long been firmly grounded in mutual trust and friendship.
"Working together with all of you, I remain committed to doing my utmost to further elevate our bilateral ties to new heights," he said.
Following the "political uprising" in the summer of 2024, Bangladesh continued to advance in various initiatives for nation-building under the interim government, despite facing numerous challenges, the envoy said.
"The successful political transition represents a historic achievement. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Government of Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh on this occasion," he said.
Looking back on the history of Bangladesh-Japan relations, the envoy said Japan has, since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972, cultivated a friendly relationship with Bangladesh as a sincere development partner for over half a century.
In recent years, under the “Strategic Partnership,” bilateral relations have advanced remarkably across a wide range of fields, said the Ambassador.
During the interim government period beginning in August 2024, Japan has continued to promote various forms of cooperation without interrupting this positive momentum.
"The inauguration of the new BNP government in February this year has provided fresh momentum to bilateral relations," the envoy said.
At the end of April, Norikazu Suzuki, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, visited Dhaka and paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and, during the meeting, Minister Suzuki delivered a letter from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and reaffirmed Japan’s intention to support the efforts of the new BNP government and further advance cooperation under the “Strategic Partnership.”
From an economic perspective, he said Japanese companies have continued their operations in Bangladesh without withdrawing, even after the political uprising in the summer of 2024.
The Japan–Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February of this year, provides a highly significant legal framework for strengthening economic relations between our two countries, the envoy said.
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The Embassy of Japan, in close cooperation between the public and private sectors, will continue to support the improvement of the investment environment and assist the further growth and development of Japanese companies in Bangladesh, he said.
"Furthermore, people-to-people and cultural exchanges between our two countries have been steadily expanding," he said.
"It is gratifying to see that the people of Bangladesh show a strong interest in learning the Japanese language. Japan remains committed to further promoting the study of Japanese language and the appreciation of Japanese culture in Bangladesh."
Earlier in May, Prime Minister Takaichi, during her visit to Hanoi, announced the concept of an “Updated FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific),” expressing the vision of fostering a region where all countries “grow stronger and more prosperous together throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
Bangladesh, located along the Bay of Bengal at a strategic juncture connecting the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, plays a vital role in the development of the region.
For Japan, the envoy said Bangladesh is an important partner in realizing the FOIP vision.
"Under the banner of the “Updated FOIP,” Japan intends to work hand in hand with Bangladesh, steadily advancing concrete cooperation on the ground in Bangladesh," he said.