Japanese officials said Wednesday they are closely watching to see if China keeps its promise to prevent further violations of Japan's airspace after explaining that an incursion by a Chinese military aircraft nearly three months ago was unintentional and caused by turbulence. Tokyo protested and sought an explanation from Beijing after a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane briefly entered Japanese airspace off the southern main island of Kyushu on Aug. 26, prompting Japan's military to scramble fighter jets and warn the plane. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said China acknowledged the airspace violation and assured Japan that it would make efforts to prevent a recurrence. “We take note of China's explanation, and we will closely watch Chinese military activity from now on,” Hayashi said. China said the airspace violation occurred when the plane's pilot took emergency measures in response to turbulence in the area and was not intentional, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. Japanese officials did not disclose further details, such as when China provided the explanation, citing the protocol of diplomatic exchanges. Even though aircraft can encounter turbulence, such a significant deviation from a flight route is unthinkable, Japanese officials said. NHK public television reported that Japanese defense officials said they still find the airspace violation unacceptable because it was a serious breach of territorial sovereignty. A suicide car bombing at a security post in northwestern Pakistan has killed 12 troops Japanese officials are concerned about China's growing military activity around Japan's southwestern waters and airspace. It has led Tokyo to significantly reinforce its defenses in the area, which includes remote islands that are considered key to Japan's defense strategy. Japan is also worried about joint military activities between China and Russia. A Chinese survey ship violated Japanese territorial waters off a southern island in August. In September, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and two destroyers sailed between Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni — just east of Taiwan — and nearby Iriomote, entering Japan's “contiguous zone,” an area just outside of a country’s territorial waters in which it can still exercise some control over maritime traffic.  

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Technical Cooperation agreement with the Government of Bangladesh on “The Project for Improvement of Management Capacity of Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority” on Monday. The project aims to enhance Chattogram WASA's capacity to improve its service delivery, strategic project planning, and financial management. JICA has a longstanding commitment to collaborating with Bangladesh in the Water Supply and Sanitation sector, especially in Chattogram. JICA to assist govt in preparing power distribution plan for Dhaka The agreement was signed by MIURA Mari, Senior Representative, JICA Bangladesh Office; AKM Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division; Mr. AHM Kamruzzaman, Joint Secretary, Local Government Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives; andAKM Fazlullah, Managing Director, Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority. Chattogram city, the second largest city in Bangladesh, with a population of around 7 million, has historically relied heavily on groundwater for drinking water. NCDC launches national guideline on hypertension with JICA’s support JICA's support to Chattogram city began in 2003 with an engineering study in response to the severe drinking water crisis in the city. The initiative identified the need to develop surface water sources and enhance the institutional capacity of Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA) to address its growing population. Over the years, JICA has supported CWASA in mitigating the water crisis, focusing on water supply capacity development and reducing non-revenue water. JICA’s supported water treatment plants supply 286 million liters daily, meeting about 60 percent of Chattogram city's demand. JICA has also conducted surveys in its sewerage sector. JICA seminar on ‘Private Sector Contribution to the SDGs’ held CWASA's services for safe water supply have improved tremendously.  However, further work is needed to provide more clean water and serve its growing population. The new Technical Cooperation is expected to maximize the benefit of CWASA's services and transform CWASA into a sustainable water sanitation service provider of international standards. This new project for CWASA focuses on improving financial management, water treatment plant operation, non-revenue water reduction, customer communication, and inter-WASA collaboration. Through these the project aims to enhance CWASA's overall management capacity, ensuring sustainable and efficient water services.

The Japanese government carried out no executions in 2023 for the first time in three years, local media reported. Currently, there are 106 inmates on death row in Japan, after three died from illness and other causes, and three others had their death sentences finalized this year, Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun said, citing the Justice Ministry. Read: The year in review: Influential people who died in 2023 The law on inmate treatment stipulates that no executions will take place from Dec. 29 to Jan. 3, making any such act within the year impossible. The last execution was on July 26, 2022, when Tomohiro Kato was hanged, who was convicted of murdering seven people by driving into them or stabbing them in a random attack in Tokyo's Akihabara district in 2008. Read: Bangladesh's mobile users reach 190.36 mln 

National Migrants Day 2023 was celebrated with due importance and significance at Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo. As part of the celebration of the day, a discussion meeting was organized today (Saturday)at the embassy with the participation of representatives of staff-sending organizations, owners and representatives of remittance houses, technical interns working in Japan, specified skilled workers and part-time workers on student visas. At the beginning of the discussion program, the messages given by the President, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment Affairs on the occasion were read out. Reception Lounge set up at Dhaka Airport for int'l observers, journalists Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan, Shahabuddin Ahmad, in his welcome speech, said that the population of the country has become a public resource today due to the proper actions and management of the government and a large number of Bangladeshis are working with reputation in more than 170 countries of the world. The ambassador thanked the remittance fighters for their important contribution to the economy of Bangladesh and urged all the Bangladeshis living in Japan to work with more patriotism, devotion and honesty for the development and reputation of the country. He said, in view of International Migrants Day and National Expatriates Day, there are several Bangladeshi expatriates in Japan have been honored as CIP (Non-Resident Bangladeshis) this year. Macron says France will sign agreement with Bangladesh to finance climate-change adaptation, loss and damage in first half of 2024 “We hope that the number will increase in this field in the future,” he said. He said the corona epidemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have adversely affected the economy of all the countries of the world including Bangladesh. He appealed to the participants of the meeting including the Bangladeshi expatriates in Japan to ensure the economic stability of their beloved motherland Bangladesh by bringing more workers from Bangladesh and by sending remittances through legal channels and ensuring the financial stability of their families by joining the universal pension system. First Secretary (Labor) Md Joynal Abedin gave a power point presentation highlighting the importance and significance of sending remittances through legal channels and joining the universal pension system, the various facilities provided by the government for migrants and the special potential of employing Bangladeshi manpower in Japan. Later, the visiting guests participated in an open discussion and expressed their commitment to work together on various aspects of sending remittances through legal channels and employing more Bangladeshi manpower in Japan in the current situation. On behalf of Bangladesh Embassy, they are assured to provide all kinds of cooperation in this work. India wants to see peaceful election in Bangladesh Two Distinguished Expatriate (CIP) Bangladeshis were honored at the program. At the end of the program, ten expatriates joined the Universal Pension System and Wage Earners Welfare Board through the One Stop Desk of the Bangladesh Embassy. Embassy officials were present on the occasion.

In a significant development for Bangladesh’s aviation sector, the country and Japan today signed the exchange of notes of the 44th Official Development Assistance (ODA) yen loan. This crucial funding, amounting to 76,635 million yen (approximately USD 540 million), is earmarked for the expansion of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA). Is Dhaka ready for a Westeros Winter? The installment will be used for constructing Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Third International Passenger Terminal, a Cargo Terminal, and associated facilities. The agreement was formalized by Iwama Kiminori, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, and Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance. This latest installment brings the total of the 44th round of yen loans to a substantial 324,191 million yen (around USD 2.21 billion). A corresponding loan agreement was signed by Yoshida Hiroshi, Senior Representative of JICA's Bangladesh Office, and Shariar Siddiky, emphasizing the commitment to meet the growing aviation demands, enhance airport capacity, improve accessibility, and bolster security. This expansion is anticipated to significantly contribute to Bangladesh’s economic development and regional connectivity. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at the recent soft opening of Dhaka Airport’s Third Terminal, highlighted the importance of Japanese companies’ involvement in this grand project. Ongoing intensive discussions between the Japanese consortium and airport authorities reinforce Japan’s commitment to fostering Bangladesh’s development through this strategic partnership, aiming for mutual prosperity.  Penalty for code of conduct violation depends on investigation report: EC Sultana The 44th ODA loan package specifically targets the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Expansion Project (Phase III). The terms include an interest rate of 1.30% per annum, with a repayment period of 20 years following a grace period of 10 years, as outlined by the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka. This agreement marks a pivotal step in enhancing Dhaka’s status as a key aviation hub in the region.

Japan has said it will continue to make concrete efforts, like Terminal 3 of Dhaka airport, that contribute to strengthening connectivity for the sake of "peace, stability and prosperity" of the region and the international community. “Located at the nexus of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, Bangladesh is an important partner in realizing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Komura Masahiro, said today (October 07, 2023).  Read: ‘Boycotting election isn’t good for anyone’: Info minister tells Japanese ambassador He was speaking at a soft opening ceremony of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s (HSIA) Terminal 3 with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the chief guest.  State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Md. Mahbub Ali, and other ministers and officials were present at the ceremony.  Japan’s Vice-Minister for International Affairs of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Uehara Atsushi; and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwama Kiminori, also attended the ceremony.   At the ceremony, the Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs said: “I would like to congratulate the soft-opening of HSIA Terminal 3. Japan and Bangladesh have had a very close relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations, as symbolized by the flags of both countries.” Read: Bangladesh, Japan and NE India urged to form trilateral platform for regional value chain In April this year, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina launched a "Strategic Partnership" when she visited Japan.  "The new bilateral relations are progressing in a variety of areas, including defense equipment cooperation and joint research toward a possible EPA," he said.  In recent years, under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt Initiative, Japan has been actively engaged in the development of major infrastructure to enhance regional connectivity, including Dhaka Metro Rail, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, and Dhaka Airport’s Terminal 3. Read: Bangladesh needs multiple choices for better bargaining in foreign financial proposals: Japanese expert In September this year, a direct flight connecting Dhaka and Tokyo, which both countries had been longing for, was also launched. "It is expected to further invigorate human traffic and contribute to further expansion of investment by Japanese companies," he said. 

In recent years, several earthquakes have devastated different parts of the globe. Earthquakes are caused by sudden movement along tectonic plates within the surface of earth. These movements release energy in the form of seismic waves that cause the earth's surface to shake. These geological events disrupt lives and economies, standing as stark reminders of the need for earthquake preparedness. Let's take a look at the top earthquake-prone countries across the world and understand their vulnerabilities. The World's 10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries Japan Japan occupies a precarious position in the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc characterized by fault lines and volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean basin. This is the convergence of four tectonic plates: the Pacific, Philippine, Okhotsk, and Eurasian. The primary reason behind Japan's seismic vulnerability is the collision and subduction of these tectonic slabs. The Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate, creating deep ocean trenches and mountain ranges. Read more Earthquake Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe The 2011 Tohoku earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.1, triggered a devastating tsunami, claiming around 19,759 lives. The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, measuring magnitude 7, caused about 273 fatalities.

Thriving for healthy living and aspiring for an extended life is a common pursuit. People often wonder if there are places where this aspiration transforms into reality. The Blue Zones concept seems to make that imagination come true. This article is going to decode the mysteries of living longer, healthier lives. Let’s try to hold the key to unlock an exceptional sense of well-being. What is the Blue Zone?  The origins of the Blue Zone concept can be traced back to the inquisitive demographic research of Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain in 2004. Their discovery led them to Sardinia's Nuoro Province, a place so abundantly endowed with male centenarians that it earned the name. This initial revelation stirred the curiosity of explorer Dan Buettner, prompting him to unveil four additional zones of wonder. These regions each offer a distinct blend of factors contributing to the prolonged, vibrant lives of their inhabitants. Read more: 13 Tips to Avoid Mosquito Bites Blue Zone Locations around the World Nuoro Province, Sardinia, Italy Sardinia, a rugged island off the Italian mainland, where the concept of Blue Zones first took root. This remarkable enclave boasts a population where men live almost as long as women, an unusual occurrence when compared to most other regions worldwide. The diet here consists mainly of whole grains, vegetables, beans, dairy products, and limited meat consumption. Their lifestyle encourages daily chores and walking, as Sardinia is a mountainous island. Many traditional shepherds still can be found walking over five miles. Read more: Superfood Moringa Powder: Know Its Health Benefits, Side Effects Sardinians also enjoy local wine, as part of their social tradition, called Cannonau or grenache. Strong family and community ties are central to their way of life, with multiple generations often residing in the same household. In Sardinia, it's about living better and cherishing family above all else.

The launch of Biman's Dhaka-Narita (Tokyo) direct flight will enhance trade and relations between the two countries, Badal Chaklader, president of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (BCCIJ), has said. He said this while speaking at a reception programme organised by BCCIJ in Japan's Tokyo on Sunday (September 03, 2023) night. He also thanked the Bangladesh government and Biman Bangladesh Airlines for launching the direct flight. Read: After Narita (Tokyo), Biman eyeing flights to New York, Chennai, Los Angeles, Rome "We expect that the direct flights would not be discontinued like in the past. We want more Japanese investment in Bangladesh," the BCCIJ president said. “For boosting trade with Japan, initiatives should be taken to operate daily flights in phases. The quality of services offered by the airline should also be enhanced so that domestic and foreign passengers show more interest,” the BCCIJ president added. Business leaders said that Japanese investors were often not interested in going to Bangladesh due to lack of direct flights. It also took a long time for Bangladeshis to travel to and from Japan. Relations and trade between the two countries will reach a new height due to the direct Biman flights, they hoped. They also urged Biman authorities to transport dead bodies of Bangladeshi expatriates to the country free of cost. Business leaders also demanded harassment-free services at Dhaka airport. Read: Dhaka-Narita Tokyo direct flights launched  State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Md Mahbub Ali, said, “We have 50 years of relationship with Japan. This relationship will grow even more due to the direct flights to Japan. Biman resumed flights to Tokyo, Japan after 17 years and it will facilitate passengers as well as cargo transportation.”  “Besides, more Japanese businessmen will now come to Bangladesh and invest here as our country has great potential,” he added.

Appreciating Japan’s continued assistance in infrastructure development, Bangladesh has sought Japan’s support in resolving the Rohingya crisis considering its good relations with Myanmar.  “On behalf of the people and the government of Bangladesh, we hope that Japan will step up efforts to help resolve the Rohingya crisis,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said while speaking at a programme on Bangladesh-Japan relations as the chief guest. Read: China hopes Bangladesh would make good use of preferential loans, GDI and South-South Cooperation Fund: Ambassador Yao Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori spoke as special guest and FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam spoke as the guest of honour at the discussion held at Japanese Embassy, marking the official launch of the Pan-Asia Research Institute (PARI). Former ambassadors of Bangladesh to Japan Jamil Majid and Ashraf-Ud-Doula; Apex Footwear Ltd Managing Director Syed Nasim Manzur; Dhaka University International Relations Department Chairperson Dr Lailufar Yasmin; Foreign Ministry’s East Asia and Pacific Wing Director Sayem Ahmed; JICA Bangladesh Senior Representative Eiji Yamada; Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka (JCIAD) President Tetsuro Kano; and Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) Secretary General Md Anwar Shahid were present as panelists. At the event, Shahriar Alam mentioned the investment, presence of a growing number of Japanese companies and cooperation in the Matarbari project. Read: Further delay in commencing Rohingya repatriation may put entire region at risk: Bangladesh Govt “We see these brilliant infrastructure projects supported by Japan as solutions to many of the problems the country and its people have been facing,” he said. Earlier, the government of Bangladesh said drastic reduction in humanitarian assistance for the persecuted Rohingya population, which is growing with around 30,000 newborns every year in the camps, is compounding the crisis. Further delay to commence safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation and shortage of humanitarian support may put the entire region at risk, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said. The socio-economic, demographic and environmental cost of sheltering more than 1.2 million Rohingyas for such a long time is pushing Bangladesh to the limit, the ministry said. These forcibly displaced people have aspirations and rights to return to their homeland in a safe and sustainable manner. Read: US to pursue justice for Rohingyas and all people of Myanmar: Blinken The state minister said the achievements of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are absolutely phenomenal and such achievements come with some challenges. “Bangladesh needs to uphold the high aspirations of the people. We have delivered so much and people will be expecting us to do even more to double what we have achieved over the last 50 years,” he said. “It is not going to be easy. Only friends like Japan can help us to achieve that goal,” Shahriar Alam said. He said Bangladesh and Japan will surely work collectively and walk together on the journey for achieving a mutually beneficial future for both countries and their peoples. The state minister said Bangladesh and Japan have presently more than just a G2G (government-to-government) partnership. Read: Rohingya Genocide Case at ICJ: US shares info with The Gambia “It is growing every passing day, and today it includes C2C (country-to-country), P2P (people-to-people) and B2B (business-to-business) ties. Most importantly, P2P partnership is playing a vital role,” he said. From here, the newly-launched think tank PARI can significantly contribute to the improvement of the Japan-Bangladesh relationship, he hoped. “Our country being rich in all the three aspects is considered to be a vast market for Japan,” said the state minister. Bangladesh has been elected one of the four candidate countries of the newly established Official Security Assistance (OSA) to deepen military ties, said the Japanese Ambassador. "This shows how much importance Japan attaches to Bangladesh," he said. Apart from “Official Development Assistance (ODA)” which aims for the economic and social development of developing countries, Japan decided to establish a new cooperation framework “Official Security Assistance (OSA)” for the benefit of armed forces and other related organizations by providing materials and equipment as well as assistance for infrastructures development based on the security needs of the countries. OSA is referred to in the new “National Security Strategy” approved by the Cabinet on 16 December 2022. Ambassador Kiminori said a common dedication to promoting peace and stability in the area and beyond characterises the relationship between Japan and Bangladesh. To do this, both countries place an emphasis on cooperation, making diplomatic efforts and working together to address regional security concerns, he said. The connectivity and overall relationship between Japan and Bangladesh will therefore improve as a result, said the ambassador. According to the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, PARI and similar research institutions can serve to improve ties between Japan and Bangladesh. On the other hand, new facilities will also improve Bangladesh's connections with Japan, he added. Speakers at the event highlighted people-to-people connectivity as the key factor in materialising Japan-Bangladesh strategic partnership. Trade barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI), investment-friendly business climate, skills development for harnessing the scope for manpower migration, Japan’s assistance in plugging the potential of the blue economy and marine resources should also be in focus, they said. PARI, a Japan-based multi-modal Asia and Pacific-focused think tank, was launched in Bangladesh through the roundtable discussion styled ‘Materialising Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership: Diplomatic, Economic and People-to-People Relations’. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) director (local investment promotion) Md Arifur Rahman, Prof. Mohammed Ansarul Alam of Institute of Modern Languages at Dhaka University, Bangladesh IKEBANA Association president Shahinoor Baby, Kokorozashi Japanese Language School principal Okabayashi Kuniaki, Hiroki Watanabe of Ekmatra, Kazuko Bhuiyan Trust manager Masudur Rahaman, The Financial Express senior news consultant M Aminul Islam and Dhaka University student Fahmida Binte Faruque, among others, also delivered speeches as discussants during four different sessions. Read: Sixth year of genocidal attacks against Rohingya:  A UN expert demands accountability for the violence  PARI president Yuji Ando, PARI vice-president Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan Jun and PARI executive director Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun moderated the sessions. A host of panelists, including noted Japanologists, academics, bureaucrats, journalists, cultural activists and representatives of youth organisations, also joined the flagship event. PARI carries out multi-stakeholder research and analytical works on a whole gamut of socio-political, economic, business interests and bilateral as well as multilateral diplomatic issues with particular importance to the changing geopolitical reality of the pan-Asia region.