“We know these are two (China-Japan) important relationships (for all of you),” Dr Masayuki Tadokoro, Professor of International Relations at Keio University, Tokyo told UNB.
He said they never ask their friends to “downgrade or downscale” their relations with China but expects them to maintain the very basic principles – freedom of navigation, rule of law and market economy.
Bangladesh and Japan shared the ideas of a “free and open” Indo-Pacific for the stability and prosperity of the international community by building the rules-based order, grounded in common values such as freedom, rule of law and market economy.
During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Dhaka in 2016, Bangladesh formally joined the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, a drive which has already drawn the close attention of the world.
Terming China an important trading partner of South Asian countries, Prof Tadokoro said they are not interested in forcing any country to make a choice between Chinese and Japanese idea of assistance.
The former Prof at the National Defense Academy, however, said they would ask their friends to remain “cautious” about those projects if there are conditions or elements which might compromise very basic principles of international order.
He said what Japan has been doing is basically supporting local efforts and Japanese ODA (Official Development Assistance) is totally different from others.
Asked what the free and open Indo-Pacific offers for a country like Bangladesh, the Japanese international affairs expert said, “You have to request (on what kind of projects you want).”
“As long as it is sustainable and feasible project that benefits your country, we’re happy to support it. You’ve to come up with your own idea and own project,” he added.
Responding to another question, Prof Tadokoro said the free and open Indo-Pacific Strategy is not a counter initiative to China-initiated BRI but they are aware of Chinese projects. “We’ve no intention to counter Chinese efforts. As long as it (BRI) is transparent we’ve nothing against it.”
The Japanese Prof said they are trying to promote a certain kind of regional and international order meaning that they want to maintain freedom of navigation, rule of law and most importantly want to see the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean “absolutely critical for basic survival” of all.
“It must not be controlled by any single country. It must be open and accessible to anybody under the existing international laws,” he added.
In August 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his vision for “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” to ensure international public goods.
Japan highlights three key areas to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific – promotion and establishment of the rule of law, freedom of navigation and free trade; pursuit of economic prosperity and commitment for peace and stability, according to Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The history of Japan’s development cooperation embodies the basic stance of Japan as a peace-loving nation, and is a practice of “proactive contribution to people” based on the principle of international cooperation, said the Japanese MoFA.
Bangladesh expressed its intention to advance economic and social development, and Japan expressed its intention to continuously support Bangladesh’s efforts for becoming a middle income country, said the officials here.
Bangladesh extended its gratitude for Japan’s decision to provide a loan of approximately 132.7billion yen for the projects aimed to construct Matarbari Port, Araihazar Special Economic Zone and Dhaka MRT Line 1 as well as to promote energy efficiency and conservation financing.