Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi has pledged to work closely with Bangladesh to further enhance the strong bilateral relations between the two nations, promising to elevate the existing excellent ties to even a greater height. Bangladesh now has a precious opportunity to seize towards a brighter future, he said, adding that the road to a new nation-building will not necessarily be a smooth one. "The relationship between Japan and Bangladesh is firmly bound together by trust and friendship. I would like to ask for your kind understanding and cooperation in this endeavor," the Ambassador said in a message shared on Wednesday marking his recent assumption of office. Dr Yunus engages with global leaders, seeks support to bring back stolen money Ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals is of utmost importance to all Japanese diplomatic missions abroad, said the Ambassador. Taking the tragedy of the 2016 Dhaka terrorist attacks to heart, the envoy said, he will carry out his duties at the vanguard of the Embassy’s efforts for the safety and security of Japanese nationals residing in Bangladesh. Known as the “Golden Bengal” boasting a rich culture and nature, Ambassador Saida Shinichi said Bangladesh is a beautiful country filled with the warmth of its people’s hearts. Located in a zone of strategic importance facing the Bay of Bengal and connecting the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, he said Bangladesh plays a pivotal role in regional development. "I am deeply honored to be able serve as Ambassador to this country," said the envoy. For more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Bangladesh in 1972, Saida Shinichi said Japan has been nurturing friendly relations with Bangladesh. Especially recent years have witnessed the bilateral relations realising remarkable progress in a wide range of areas under the “Strategic Partnership”. New US Secretary of State Rubio meets Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar First, the envoy said, the deepening of economic relations: In the field of development cooperation, Japan, as the largest bilateral development partner of Bangladesh, has been developing infrastructure such as the Dhaka Metro, while at the same time steadily building up cooperation in the social development areas such as health and education. On the business front, he said, as many Japanese companies continue to expand in Bangladesh, efforts are being made to improve the trade and investment environment through public-private partnerships. In addition, Saida Shinichi said, in view of Bangladesh’s graduation from the LDC status in 2026, both Governments are vigorously pursuing negotiations to conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Second, the strengthening of political and security cooperation: Various exchange and cooperation programs are actively underway between the two countries, including port calls by naval vessels and exchanges between military units. Besides, under the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”, the Japanese Government has selected Bangladesh as one of the first beneficiary countries of a new cooperation framework, “Official Security Assistance (OSA)”. Patrol boats will be provided to the Bangladesh Navy under this framework. Will support you, German Chancellor tells Dr Yunus on Bangladesh's transition to democracy Third, there has been notable progress in people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, whether in business, study abroad or culture. The Japanese language and culture are attracting growing interest in this country, with many young Bangladeshis seeking opportunities to study or work in Japan. The development of such a friendly cooperative relationship is a significant achievement of the steadfast efforts by many people in both countries, including those in the private sector and at the grassroots level. "For my part, I would like to further advance the bilateral relations while cherishing the strong ties that unite the people of the two countries," said Saida Shinichi. The political uprising that took place in this country last summer has led to the formation of an interim government led by Dr Yunus, the Chief Adviser, said the envoy. "A number of challenges may lie ahead. All the more, respectful of ownership of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Yunus, Japan will firmly stand by them to support their reform efforts and will actively cooperate with them to ensure that Bangladesh achieves a democratic political transition through free and fair elections, thereby making strides on a path toward stable development," said the Ambassador. "With this policy in mind, I will earnestly fulfill my duties as Ambassador of Japan at this historic juncture," he said.

Japan and the Philippines intend to emphasise to President-elect Donald Trump the critical importance of continued U.S. involvement in upholding the rule of law in Asia, particularly amid escalating security concerns, Japan's Foreign Minister said on Wednesday, reports AP. Under President Joe Biden, the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines have been fostering a strategic alliance to address China's increasingly assertive actions in the contested South China Sea and East China Sea. However, Trump's "America First" policy has raised doubts about the future extent of U.S. engagement in the region. Blinken heads to Asia, Europe on last expected trip as top US diplomat Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, speaking at a news conference alongside his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila, stated, "We will communicate to the next U.S. administration that constructive U.S. engagement in this region is not only crucial for us but also beneficial for the U.S. itself." Iwaya confirmed his plans to attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20 as Japan remains a close treaty ally of the U.S., alongside the Philippines. Musk hiring cheaper tech servants from Asia: Alleges Bernie Sanders "Given the increasingly severe strategic environment in the region, Japan prioritises both bilateral cooperation with the Philippines and strengthening trilateral collaboration with the United States," Iwaya noted. Rising tensions between Chinese and Philippine coast guards in the heavily trafficked South China Sea have heightened fears of a larger conflict, potentially drawing in the U.S. The U.S. has reiterated its commitment to defend Philippine forces under their mutual defence treaty if they face armed attacks in the region. "The South China Sea issue is a legitimate international concern as it directly impacts regional peace and stability," Iwaya remarked. He added that Japan firmly opposes any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force and urged for a de-escalation of tensions. Jonathan Malaya, assistant director-general of the Philippine National Security Council, cautioned that China’s actions are becoming increasingly provocative, stating, "China is pushing us to the wall," and noting that "all options are on the table," including new international legal challenges. Zelenskyy, Macron discuss Western troop deployment in Ukraine The Philippine coast guard reported that a large Chinese coast guard vessel recently patrolled the contested Scarborough Shoal and approached the northwestern Philippine coast, coming within 77 nautical miles (143 kilometres). Meanwhile, a Chinese official in Beijing reiterated that the South China Sea falls under China’s established sovereignty, asserting that their coast guard’s activities are lawful and justified. China has consistently accused the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia of encroaching on what it considers its territorial waters. Philippine Foreign Minister Manalo said the latest developments would be discussed during a scheduled meeting on Thursday in Xiamen between Chinese and Philippine diplomats. The two nations have engaged in ongoing talks through the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, aiming to manage disputes and prevent them from escalating into armed conflict.

A student suspected of carrying out a hammer attack at a university in Tokyo has been arrested, with local media reporting that several people were injured in the incident, reports AP. The 22-year-old South Korean sociology student was apprehended at the scene for allegedly assaulting a male student during a class at Hosei University’s Tama campus, located in Tokyo’s western suburbs on Friday. The attack resulted in minor injuries to the victim, according to the Tokyo metropolitan police.HAISON, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo to host Bangladeshi business mission to Japan in 2025 Reports indicated that seven additional students were also injured, with the suspect believed to have struck them one after the other. It remains unclear whether the attack was premeditated. Kyodo News reported that the suspect told authorities she was “frustrated” after experiencing bullying and being ignored by her peers, and that she used a hammer she found on campus. Approximately 150 students were in class at the time, and one witness told Kyodo that the attacker appeared to swing the hammer without any clear intention, hitting people seated in the back rows. The witness described how everyone in the classroom fled, while another said the assailant's face appeared emotionless, and she did not seem to be targeting anyone specifically. The police are continuing their investigation, though no further details have been provided. There remains lingering discrimination against Koreans in Japan due to the troubled history between the two nations, particularly related to Japan’s brutal colonisation of Korea, which ended in 1945 with Japan’s defeat in World War II. While violent crime is rare in Japan, there have been isolated incidents of random stabbings and shootings in recent years. In December, a junior high school student was fatally stabbed, and her friend injured, while waiting in line at a McDonald's in Kitakyushu, a city in the southwest of Japan. The attacker was later arrested. Tokyo park faces environmental protests over cutting trees In 2022, three people, including two students heading to entrance exams, were stabbed outside the University of Tokyo. A 17-year-old student was apprehended and later convicted of attempted murder.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday began a trip to Malaysia and Indonesia as part of an effort to strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asia as China's threats grow in the region. The visit, his first for bilateral talks outside of international meetings, shows Japan’s commitment to further those ties even as the US presence in the region may decrease after President-elect Donald Trump takes office later this month. Malaysia and Indonesia are maritime regional powers near vital shipping lanes and are key to Japanese and global security and the economy, and they share concerns over China's increasing assertiveness, officials say. Sri Lanka extends tax relief for 3 int'l airports to attract airlines Ishiba, who will meet Friday with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, hopes to strengthen security cooperation and discuss efforts to ensure stable supply chains with Malaysia, which is chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year. On Saturday, Ishiba and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will reportedly sign a deal for Japan's provision of high-speed patrol boats. Talks between the two leaders, who are both former defense ministers, are expected to focus on military cooperation and arms transfers.

Japan on Wednesday linked more than 200 cyberattacks over the past five years targeting the country's national security and high technology data to a Chinese hacking group, MirrorFace, detailing their tactics and calling on government agencies and businesses to reinforce preventive measures. The National Police Agency said its analysis on the targets, methods and infrastructure of the cyberattacks by MirrorFace from 2019 to 2024 concluded they were systematic attacks linked to China with an aim of stealing data on Japanese national security and advanced technology. The targets of the Chinese government-led cyberattacks included Japan's Foreign and Defense ministries, the country's space agency and individuals including politicians, journalists, private companies and think tanks related to advanced technology, the NPA said. Experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the vulnerability of Japan’s cybersecurity, especially as the country steps up its defense capabilities and works more closely with the United States and other partners to strengthen cyber defenses. Japan has taken steps but experts say more work is needed. Japan Airlines hit by a cyberattack, delaying flights during the year-end holiday season MirrorFace sent emails with attachments containing malware to targeted organizations and individuals to view data saved on computers mainly from December 2019 to July 2023, often from Gmail and Microsoft Outlook addresses using stolen identities, the NPA investigation found. The emails typically used as subjects key words such as “Japan-U.S. alliance,” “Taiwan Strait,” “Russia-Ukraine war” and “free and open Indo-Pacific," and included an invitation for a study panel, references and a list of panelists, the NPA said. In another tactic, the hackers targeted Japanese organizations in areas of aerospace, semiconductors, information and communications from February to October 2023 by exploiting vulnerabilities in virtual private networks to gain unauthorized access to information. The attacks included one on the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency, or JAXA, which acknowledged in June it had suffered a series of cyberattacks since 2023, though sensitive information related to rockets, satellites and defense was not affected. It was investigating to take preventive measures. Last year, a cyberattack paralyzed operations at a container terminal at a port in the city of Nagoya for three days. More recently, Japan Airlines was hit by a cyberattack on Christmas, causing delays and cancellations to more than 20 domestic flights, though the carrier was able to stop the onslaught and restore its systems hours later and there was no impact on flight safety.

Harry Chandler, a Navy medic who helped pull injured sailors from the oily waters of Pearl Harbor after the 1941 Japanese attack on the naval base, has died. He was 103. Chandler died Monday at a senior living center in Tequesta, Florida, according to Ron Mahaffee, the husband of his granddaughter Kelli Fahey. Chandler had congestive heart failure, but Mahaffee said doctors and nurses noted his advanced age when giving a cause of death. The third Pearl Harbor survivor to die in the past few weeks, Chandler was a hospital corpsman 3rd class on Dec. 7, 1941, when waves of Japanese fighter planes dropped bombs and fired machine guns on battleships in the harbor and plunged the U.S. into World War II. He told The Associated Press in 2023 that he saw the planes approach as he was raising the flag that morning at a mobile hospital in Aiea Heights, which is in the hills overlooking the base. “I thought they were planes coming in from the states until I saw the bombs dropping,” Chandler said. His first instinct was to take cover and ”get the hell out of here.” “I was afraid that they’d start strafing,” he said. His unit rode trucks down to attend the injured. He said in a Pacific Historic Parks oral history interview that he boarded a boat to help pluck wounded sailors from the water. The harbor was covered in oil from exploding ships, so Chandler washed the sailors off after lifting them out. He said he was too focused on his work to be afraid. “It got so busy you weren't scared. Weren’t scared at all. We were busy. It was after you got scared,” Chandler said. He realized later that he could have been killed, “But you didn’t think about that while you were busy taking care of people.” Read: Remains of Utah sailor killed at Pearl Harbor to return home The attack killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. Nearly half, or 1,177, were sailors and Marines on board the USS Arizona, which sank nine minutes after it was bombed. Chandler's memories came flowing back when he visited Pearl Harbor for a 2023 ceremony commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the bombing. “I look out there, and I can still see what’s going on. I can still see what was happening,” Chandler told The Associated Press. Asked what he wanted Americans to know about Pearl Harbor, he said: “Be prepared.” “We should have known that was going to happen. The intelligence has to be better,” he said. After the war Chandler worked as a painter and wallpaper hanger and bought an upholstery business with his brother. He also joined the Navy reserves, retiring as a senior chief in 1981. Chandler was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and lived for most of his adult life in nearby South Hadley, Mahaffee said. In recent decades he split his time between Massachusetts and Florida. An avid golfer, he shot five hole-in-ones during his lifetime, his grandson-in-law added. Chandler had one biological daughter and adopted two daughters from his second marriage, to Anna Chandler, who died in 2004. He is survived by one daughter, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Read more: 3 dead after Pearl Harbor sailor shoots civilians, himself Military historian J. Michael Wenger has estimated that there were some 87,000 military personnel on the island of Oahu the day of the attack. With Chandler’s death only 15 are still living, according to a tally maintained by Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Bob Fernandez, who served on the USS Curtiss, also died this month, at age 100, and Warren Upton, 105, who served on the USS Utah, died last week.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with top Chinese leaders Wednesday during his visit to Beijing, the first since the heads of the two countries met at a summit in Peru last month, in an effort to make positive inroads in the bilateral relationship. The two neighbors have had a tense relationship in recent years. At the top of Iwaya's agenda is China’s ban on Japanese seafood in response to the release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, as well as China’s increasingly assertive military activity in the East and South China Seas. Iwaya met with China's premier, Li Qiang Wednesday as well as Wang Yi, his Chinese counterpart. "Currently the China-Japan relations are at a critical period of improvement and development,” said Li, in his remarks. “ China is willing to work together with Japan to move towards the important direction proposed by the leaders of the two countries.” "I want to build a relationship where the people of both countries feel that Japan-China relations have developed and progressed in a positive direction," said Iwaya, ahead of his meeting with Wang. France gets a new government again amid political crisis His trip comes just before US President-elect Donald Trump is to take office in January. Tokyo considers the Japan-US alliance the lynchpin of its diplomatic and security policies, a tone emphasized in the past four years under US President Joe Biden’s direction, but it’s unclear how Trump will impact the alliance. Japan has revamped its approach to defense i n response to Chinese actions in recent years, boosting military spending and shifting away from a principle of self-defense. Earlier this year, Japan protested when a Chinese military plane flew into Japan's airspace, while in the summer, a Chinese survey ship sailed into Japanese territorial waters. While how US-China relations come out under the Trump administration is unclear, Japan is seeking stability in its relationship with its neighbor and hopes to develop ties in areas of mutual interest, including the economy and the elderly care industry. South Korea's opposition party vows to impeach acting president Iwaya told reporters before his departure Tuesday that he will also hold bilateral high-level people and cultural exchange talks, joined by the education ministers from the two sides. “The relationship with China, our neighboring country, is one of Japan’s most important,” Iwaya told reporters Tuesday. Though there are many issues and concerns, Japan and China share a variety of possibilities, he said. “The two countries share important responsibilities for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international society.” Iwaya, a security expert, is also expected to reiterate his concern about Japanese nationals detained in alleged spying allegations. Japan maintains that the water discharged from the Fukushima plant is treated and diluted to levels much safer than international standards and adequately monitored, but China calls the water contaminated. Japan and China agreed in September to work toward easing the seafood ban by allowing China in multinational sampling missions under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Chinese experts joined an IAEA monitoring mission to Fukushima in October, when China took water samples from the sea just off the coast of the Fukushima plant, as well as the water discharge system on the plant, for analysis.

Japanese automobile giants Honda and Nissan have unveiled plans to merge, potentially creating the world’s third-largest car manufacturer by sales, as the industry shifts focus towards electric vehicles and sustainability. Both companies confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Monday. Mitsubishi Motors, a smaller Nissan alliance partner, is also set to participate in discussions to integrate operations. Honda’s president, Toshihiro Mibe, stated that the companies aim to consolidate under a joint holding company, with Honda initially taking the lead in management. The brands will maintain their unique identities, and a formal agreement is anticipated by June, with completion targeted for August 2026. Although the merger's financial details remain undisclosed, Mibe emphasized that talks are in preliminary stages, acknowledging uncertainties about the outcome. Japan’s automakers are striving to reduce costs and accelerate their transition to electric vehicles to keep pace with global competitors. Speculations about the merger surfaced earlier this month, linked to reports that Taiwan’s Foxconn was exploring ties with Nissan. Nissan currently operates in alliance with France’s Renault and Mitsubishi Motors. Albanian prime minister says TikTok ban was not a 'rushed reaction to a single incident' Should the merger proceed, it could result in a combined market valuation exceeding $50 billion. The integration would enhance competitiveness with industry leaders like Toyota, which produced 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, and Volkswagen. The combined output of Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi would total approximately 8 million vehicles annually, based on 2023 figures. In August, the three companies had already announced plans to collaborate on electric vehicle components, including batteries, and to develop autonomous driving software, building on a preliminary March agreement between Honda and Nissan. Honda, Japan’s second-largest automaker, is seen as a potential stabilizing force for Nissan, which has struggled since the 2018 scandal involving its former chairman Carlos Ghosn, who fled to Lebanon after being charged with fraud—charges he denies. Ghosn criticized the proposed merger as a “desperate move” during a video press conference from Tokyo. Industry analysts believe Honda could benefit from Nissan’s expertise in large SUVs, hybrid technologies, and battery development. In November, however, Nissan announced plans to cut 9,000 jobs globally and reduce production capacity by 20% after posting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). HAISON, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo to host Bangladeshi business mission to Japan in 2025 Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida took a 50% pay cut and emphasized the need for improved efficiency and responsiveness to market trends. Uchida expressed optimism about the merger’s potential to deliver more value to customers. Despite recent challenges, Fitch Ratings downgraded Nissan’s credit outlook to “negative,” citing profitability concerns but acknowledged its strong cash reserves of 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion). Following reports of the merger, Nissan’s shares rose 1.6% on Monday, having surged over 20% last week. Honda’s shares also gained 3.8% despite reporting a near 20% profit drop for the first half of its fiscal year. This proposed merger highlights the broader trend of consolidation in the automotive sector amid intensifying competition and technological advancements. Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi refrained from commenting on specific merger details but stressed the importance of maintaining competitiveness in storage batteries and software to meet global challenges. “As the automotive industry undergoes major transformations, we expect companies to take the necessary steps to remain competitive internationally,” Hayashi remarked.

Japan has extended a grant of 500 million Japanese Yen (approximately $3.3 million) to Bangladesh under the "Fourth Primary Education Development Programme" (PEDP4), aiming to enhance the quality of primary education in the country. The Exchange of Notes formalising the grant was signed on Thursday by IWAMA Kiminori, the Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, and Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) under the Ministry of Finance. Bangladesh calls for finalizing BIMSTEC FTA A relevant Grant Agreement was then signed by JICA Bangladesh Office Chief Representative ICHIGUCHI Tomohide and Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador IWAMA emphasised the pivotal role of education in national development.  “Education, which develops human resources, is a crucial element for the future of any nation. Without education, there is no development of the nation,” he said. Dhaka seeks ‘comprehensive roadmap’ for Rohingya repatriation He expressed optimism that the support for PEDP4 would enable many children to access high-quality education. “It will be one element of numerous initiatives that will benefit both our nations.” With this fifth grant, Japan has provided a total of JPY 2.5 billion (approximately $16.7 million) for PEDP4, supporting various implementations to achieve the programme's objectives.

Fresh fin whale meat was auctioned in Japan on Thursday for the first time in nearly five decades, fetching prices of over $1,300 per kilogramme (2.2 lbs), as officials strive to sustain the struggling whaling industry, reports AP. This year, Japan’s Fisheries Agency included fin whales among three other whale species eligible for legal hunting, as the nation broadens commercial whaling within its waters. Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which had protected fin whales from overhunting since 1976. Whale meat fetches 'celebration prices' after Japanese hunt Officials cited stock surveys indicating sufficient recovery of fin whale populations in the North Pacific. During this season, 30 of the 60 allowed fin whales were caught, alongside a combined quota of 379 minke, Bryde's, and sei whales. Kyodo Senpaku Co., Japan’s sole large-scale whaling fleet operator, invested 7.5 billion yen ($49 million) in a new 9,300-ton whaling ship, the Kangei Maru, to demonstrate its commitment to the industry. On Thursday, 1.4 tons of fresh fin whale meat from Hokkaido were auctioned at the Sapporo fish market and at Shimonoseki, the Kangei Maru's home port. In Shimonoseki, 250 kilograms (550 lbs) of tail meat, a prized delicacy called onomi, reached the highest price of 200,000 yen ($1,312) per kilogram, according to the city’s fishery promotion department. “Larger whales are said to have better taste, so fin whales might be more delicious than other types, though I’ve never tasted it,” said Ryo Minezoe, a Shimonoseki city official. Japan’s whaling industry has faced longstanding controversy and criticism from conservationists. However, protests have diminished since Japan shifted from contentious Antarctic “research whaling,” often perceived as a guise for commercial hunts, to domestic commercial whaling. Last year, Japan’s whalers caught 294 minke, Bryde’s, and sei whales, amounting to less than 80% of the quota and fewer than what was caught in earlier Antarctic and Pacific hunts. Industry officials attribute the declining catch to climate change, while critics suggest overhunting as the root cause. Nanami Kurasawa, leader of the conservationist Dolphin & Whale Action Network, opposes hunting fin whales. She warns that fin whales nearly went extinct due to past overhunting and urges more comprehensive studies on their populations in Japanese waters. Whalers prefer larger whales for efficiency, but Kurasawa argues that a thorough investigation of stocks is necessary. Historically, whale meat was a vital protein source for Japan’s malnourished population post-World War II, peaking at 233,000 tons in 1962. However, consumption has plummeted to around 2,000 tons annually, as other meats replaced whale in diets. Officials aim to increase this to 5,000 tons to sustain the industry. Experts are sceptical about demand for whale meat in modern Japan, where it is neither affordable nor widely consumed. Nobuhiro Kishigami, a professor and expert on indigenous whaling at Osaka’s National Museum of Ethnology, noted that whale meat is mostly eaten in whaling towns, while it remains expensive and rarely consumed in Tokyo or elsewhere. “It’s more of a delicacy than a daily staple,” Kishigami said. “If it’s not accessible, tasty, and reasonably priced, it won’t sell. Without substantial government subsidies, sustaining the industry as a business would be extremely challenging.”