Japan
Japan's assassinated leader Abe honored at divisive state funeral
Japan's assassinated hawkish former leader, Shinzo Abe, was given a rare state funeral Tuesday that was full of military pomp and surrounded by throngs of mourners as well as by widespread protests, with thousands taking to the streets in opposition.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the publicly financed ceremony was a well-deserved honor for Japan's longest-serving modern political leader, but it has deeply split public opinion.
The event was attended by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and other foreign and Japanese dignitaries.
It began with Abe's widow, Akie Abe, in a black formal kimono, walking slowly behind Kishida into the funeral venue, carrying an urn in a wooden box wrapped in a purple cloth with gold stripes. Soldiers in white uniforms took Abe’s ashes and placed them on a pedestal filled with white and yellow chrysanthemums and decorations.
Attendants stood while a military band played the Kimigayo national anthem, then observed a moment of silence before a video was shown praising Abe's life in politics. It included his 2006 parliamentary speech vowing to build a “beautiful Japan," his visits to disaster-hit northern Japan after the March 2011 tsunami and his 2016 Super Mario impersonation in Rio de Janeiro to promote the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Kishida, in a 12-minute eulogy, praised Abe as a politician with a clear vision for post-World War II economic growth who promoted national security, the development of Japan and the world, and a “free and open Indo-Pacific” as a counter to China's rise.
“You were a person who should have lived much longer,” Kishida said as he looked up at a massive photo of Abe. “I had a firm belief that you would contribute as a compass showing the future direction of Japan and the rest of the world for 10 or 20 more years."
Kishida said Abe will be remembered not just as the nation's longest-serving leader but for what he achieved, and he pledged to carry on Abe's policies for Japan and the region.
During the ceremony, Harris sat in the third row next to Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, and they later joined others by placing a branch of chrysanthemums on a table near Abe's photo.
Abe was cremated in July following a private funeral at a Tokyo temple days after he was assassinated while giving a campaign speech on a street in Nara in western Japan.
Tokyo was under high security for the state funeral, especially near the venue, the Budokan martial arts hall.
At a protest in downtown Tokyo, thousands of people marched toward the hall, some banging drums and many shouting or holding banners and signs stating their opposition.
“Shinzo Abe has not done a single thing for regular people,” participant Kaoru Mano said.
Japan’s main political opposition parties boycotted the funeral, which critics say was a reminder of how prewar imperialist governments used state funerals to fan nationalism.
The government maintains that the ceremony was not meant to force anyone to honor Abe. But the decision to give him the rare honor, which was made without parliamentary debate or approval, the high cost and other controversies have led to anger about the event.
Kishida has also been criticized because of a widening controversy over decades of close ties between Abe and the governing Liberal Democratic Party with the Unification Church, accused of raking in huge donations by brainwashing adherents. The suspect in Abe’s assassination reportedly told police he killed Abe because of his links to the church, which he said took large amounts of money from his mother, bankrupting his family and ruining his life.
“The fact that the close ties between the LDP and the Unification Church may have interfered with policymaking processes is seen by the Japanese people as a greater threat to democracy than Abe’s assassination,” Hosei University political science professor Jiro Yamaguchi wrote in a recent article.
Abe’s grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, helped the South Korean-based church take root in Japan and is now seen as a key figure in the scandal. Opponents say holding a state funeral for Abe is equivalent to an endorsement of the governing party’s ties to the church.
“One big problem is that there was no proper approval process,” retiree Shin Watanabe said during the demonstration Tuesday. “I’m sure there are various views. But I don’t think it’s forgivable that they will force a state funeral on us when so many of us are opposed.”
Outside the Budokan hall, thousands of people carrying bouquets queued for several blocks to lay flowers in a nearby park.
“I'm emotionally attached to him and I've been supporting the LDP, too," Masayuki Aoki, a 70-year-old business owner, said, recalling that he shared a fist bump with Abe at a campaign stop in Yokohama days before his assassination. “I came to offer him flowers."
In what some see as an attempt to further justify the honor for Abe, Kishida has held meetings this week with visiting foreign leaders in what he calls “funeral diplomacy.” The talks are meant to strengthen ties as Japan faces regional and global challenges, including threats from China, Russia and North Korea.
He was to meet about 40 foreign leaders through Wednesday, though no Group of Seven leaders are attending.
Japan, WFP to provide $4.3mn food aid to Rohingyas in Bangladesh
The government of Japan and WFP on Monday signed an exchange of notes to provide food and nutrition assistance to the Rohingyas in Bhasan Char and to develop agricultural infrastructure in Cox’s Bazar.The contribution of USD 4.3 million will be used for critical food assistance through the e-voucher system for the Rohingya refugees living in Bhasan Char and will help further the development of agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation system, canal excavation, and new roads for the Bangladeshi community in Cox’s Bazar.“Japan is an essential partner for WFP, and we are grateful for their staunch support of development in Bangladesh and of our humanitarian efforts in the country,” said Dom Scalpelli, the resident Representative and Country Director of WFP Bangladesh.Scalpelli said this new contribution will help them continue to provide life-saving food assistance on the island of Bhasan Char and will greatly benefit the Bangladeshi community in Cox’s Bazar.Following the emergency grant of USD 2 million in January. Japan decided to provide additional assistance to Bhasan Char, with the "strong hope" that this contribution will respond to the urgent food and nutrition needs of the Rohingya population on Bhasan Char, as well as to enhance the agricultural environment in Cox’s Bazar."During my recent visit to Cox’s Bazar, I saw the dedicated and professional work of WFP and its partners. Food assistance by E-Voucher in the Cox’s Bazar camps is truly innovative, and it is our great pleasure that the innovative approach will be expanded to Bhasan Char with this funding," said Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki.
Read: US announces over $170 million in humanitarian assistance for RohingyasAs the Rohingya crisis has stepped into the sixth year, it is imperative to continue funding for better and dignified lives of refugees, while making every effort for the early repatriation to Myanmar, he said."Durable solutions of this crisis will be conducive to realizing the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, Japan will stand by the government and the people of Bangladesh in supporting the Rohingya response," said Naoki.Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a steadfast supporter of the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, contributing over USD $170 million to UNHCR and other UN agencies and NGOs in Bangladesh, including through this new funding.
Japan, UNHCR sign $3.5 million partnership deal for protection of Rohingyas in Bangladesh
The government of Japan and UNHCR on Wednesday signed a partnership agreement to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
The contribution of US$ 3.5 million [JPY 505 million] will be used to maintain access to critical and life-sustaining services for refugees living in the Cox’s Bazar camps and on Bhasan Char.
“UNHCR is grateful for the support from the Japanese Government and its people towards Rohingya refugees, and their solidarity with the government and people of Bangladesh hosting them,” said Johannes Van Der Klaauw, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh.
Japan was the first to support the humanitarian response on Bhasan Char, Klaauw said, adding that its contribution has allowed UNHCR to strengthen local NGO work on the island, including providing protection and access to essential services.
As per the agreement, UNHCR will continue its humanitarian response in the camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char, focusing on providing key services, such as legal and community-based protection, access to health, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition support and core relief items.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki said his country decided to provide assistance to this project, with the strong hope that it will improve the protection, healthcare and livelihood opportunities of the Rohingya population on Bhasan Char, and enhance their security in Cox’s Bazar.
Read: UNHCR seeks more support from international community for Rohingyas
“During my recent visit to Cox’s Bazar, I saw the dedicated and innovative work of UNHCR and its partners. As the Rohingya crisis has turned into the sixth year, it is imperative to continue funding for better and dignified lives of refugees, while making every effort for the early repatriation to Myanmar,” he said.
With the view that durable solutions of this crisis will be conducive to realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region, the envoy said Japan will stand by the government and the people of Bangladesh in supporting the Rohingya response.
Skills development and livelihoods activities will be strengthened to provide refugees with the capacities to support their communities and to help them prepare for a safe and sustainable return to Myanmar, once conditions are conducive, according to the UN refugee agency.
The crisis is in a protracted situation, and Rohingya refugees’ lives are still dependent on humanitarian assistance.
The support from Japan comes at a crucial moment, as the Rohingya response is one of the underfunded refugee situations in the world, it said.
Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a steadfast supporter of the Rohingya response in Bangladesh, contributing over US$ $170 million to UNHCR and other UN agencies and NGOs in Bangladesh, including through this new funding.
A book on BD-Japan relations unveiled
A book titled ‘Bangladesh-Japan Diplomatic Relations (1972-2022): A New Paradigm of Strategic Partnership’ has been unwrapped at a function in the Japanese embassy here in Dhaka.
Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Associate Professor of Japanese Studies Department of Dhaka University (DU), composed the book mainly to explore the Japan-Bangladesh comprehensive relations to understand Japan’s miraculous development models and apply them in Bangladesh’s development policy initiatives.
Addressing the book unwrapping function held on Tuesday, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said Bangladesh can learn from the miraculous development of Japan—how this country developed from the ashes after World War-II.
He said the book has highlighted the present relation and the future direction of the relations between these two friendly nations.
Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki, in his welcome speech, described this book as a historic mark in academia considering the 50 years mark of Bangladesh-Japan diplomatic relations. The book might be highly influential for future academics, he said.
Read: FM’s book on Padma Bridge unveiled
DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal said it is an important book since Japan is a development partner of Bangladesh, which is helping Bangladesh implement some most significant megaprojects including the Matarbari deep sea port, MRT line in Dhaka, and third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Presiding over the function, Chairman of the Japanese Studies Department Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun said this is one of the rarest academic endeavours in the field of bilateral relations between the two nations.
Member of Bangladesh Public Service Commission and also DU International Relations Professor Dr Delwar Hossain also spoke at the event conducted by Japanese Studies Associate Professor Shiblee Noman, said a press release.
Bangladesh can learn from miraculous development of Japan: State Minister Khalid
State Minister for Cultural Affairs K M Khalid has said Bangladesh can learn from the miraculous development of Japan - how this country developed from the ashes after World War II.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the launching ceremony of a new book titled "Bangladesh-Japan Diplomatic Relations (1972-2022): A New Paradigm of Strategic Partnership" held at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador on Tuesday evening.
The book is written by Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Associate Professor of the first ever area studies department at the University of Dhaka—Department of Japanese Studies.
Professor Dr A S M Maksud Kamal, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) joined the ceremony as special guest.
Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain, Member of Bangladesh Public Service Commission and Professor of International Relations, University of Dhaka spoke as the discussant.
The State Minister said the book has stressed upon the present relation and the future direction of the relations between these two friendly nations.
"This is a great book. This is a very rare academic work focusing on bilateral relations. I would say, very historic academic work," said Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki.
He described the book as a historic mark in academia considering the 50 years of Bangladesh-Japan diplomatic relations.
Naoki also predicted it to be highly influential for future academics.
"It's a great day for me," said Dr Jahangir Alam, the author of the book.
Delwar Hossain said this book covers contemporary issues particularly from the perspective of political science, international relations, etc.
"It has a comprehensive focus which is the strongest part of this book. It has a comprehensive focus on Bangladesh-Japan relations," he said.
Prof Maksud Kamal said Japan is the number one bilateral development partner of Bangladesh which is helping Bangladesh implement some most significant megaprojects including the Matarbari deep sea port, MRT line in Dhaka, and third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The ceremony was presided over by Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Chairman of the Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka.
He mentioned that this is one of the rarest academic endeavours in the field of bilateral relations between the two nations.
The main objective of the book is to explore and examine the Japan-Bangladesh comprehensive relations to understand Japan’s miraculous development models and apply them in Bangladesh’s development policy initiatives and planning to achieve the SDGs by 2030 and ‘Vision 2041’.
The chapters of the book attempt to make a comparative study among the South Asian countries with relevant policy recommendations for further improvement of the said bilateral relations.
However, asymmetric in nature, many academia and a cross-section of people in Bangladesh believe that the Japanese economic development model should be replicated in Bangladesh.
To explore those possibilities, a couple of chapters of this book revisited Bangladesh-Japan’s comprehensive diplomatic relations since the former’s independence would simultaneously strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Japan envoy meets Mirza Fakhrul, discuss latest political situation
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ito Naoki, met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today, a day after some leaders and activists of the party were attacked in Dhaka and Cumilla.
The meeting which started at 10 am at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office ended around 11:30 am.
BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and organising secretary Shyama Obaid were present at the meeting.
Read:BNP holds candlelight vigil amid attack in city
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Amir Khosru, also convener of BNP's foreign affairs committee, said Bangladesh-Japan relationship is long-standing.
He said they discussed various issues of bilateral cooperation between the two countries alongside the latest political situation in Bangladesh.
Asked whether the latest attacks on BNP leaders and activists came up for discussion, he said, “I have already said we talked about contemporary political issues.”
Read: BNP's candlelight vigil in Banani attacked by ruling party activists
Last night, some BNP leaders, including standing committee member Selima Rahman, joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, organising secretary Shyama Obaid and executive committee member Tabith Awal, suffered injuries as ruling party activists reportedly attacked a candlelight vigil of the opposition party on Kamal Atartuk Avenue, the main thoroughfare in Dhaka’s Banani.
Tabith, a BNP foreign affairs committee member, was admitted to United Hospital for treatment with a head injury.
Earlier in the day, four people including BNP Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu and his wife, were injured in an attack by miscreants at Monohorganj upazila in Cumilla.
Read Japan seeks stronger cultural ties with Bangladesh engaging younger generation
'Photographic Images and Matter: Japanese Prints of the 1970s' goes on in Dhaka
The Japanese printmaking exhibition "Photographic Images and Matter: Japanese Prints of the 1970s," which began recently, is still underway at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka.
Divided into two sections, the exhibition is showcasing "The Age of Photographic Images," and "Images of Autonomous Matter," giving visitors a sense of Japanese art trends in the 1970s.
The two-week exhibition is displaying the award-winning works of 14 distinguished printmakers and professors from Japan. It is also presenting a wide range of palettes, styles, and traditions of Japanese printmaking.
The exhibition is jointly organised by the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh and the Japan Foundation.
Read: Japan Foundation print exhibition to be held at Liberation War Museum
State Minister for Culture KM Khalid inaugurated the exhibition recently. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki was present.
During the opening ceremony, Ambassador Naoki conferred the Japanese foreign minister's commendation to Professor Syed Abul Barq Alvi of the Department of Printmaking of the University of Dhaka for his contribution to printmaking and role in promoting Bangladesh-Japan ties.
The exhibition will continue till September 29.
Japanese ambassador attends handover ceremony of ambulances in Cox's Bazar
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki visited Cox's Bazar to attend the handover ceremony of ambulances provided to NGO Friendship by Japan through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGHSP).
"The Project for Provision of Emergency Ambulance Services in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar District" is expected to help improve the medical infrastructure and medical environment by installing three ambulances at the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.
Kazi Golam Rasul, senior director and head of health of Friendship, Md Mamunur Rashid, deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar, and Md Shamsud Doza, additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, attended the ceremony.
"I hope these ambulances will save the lives and help improve the medical environment of the Rohingya camps," Ambassador Ito said.
The GGHSP began in 1989 and has been contributing to social development at the grassroots level. To date, $16.25 million has been extended to 208 projects in Bangladesh including three projects at the Rohingya camps by Japan.
Also read: Chuadanga: Ambulance received from India remains unused
Japan needs young engineers, Bangladeshi ICT professionals can fill that gap
Bangladesh and Japan can develop “ICT bridges” as the latter faces shortage of young ICT engineers, says a Japanese expert.
“The two countries can support each other. I hope young Bangladeshis go to Japan and have some experience… It is not a one-way support,” Dr Kano Tsuyoshi, co-founder and CEO of ICT for Development (NPO), Japan, told UNB today.
Responding to a question, Dr Kano, also an associate professor at Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Japan said he is eager to support young Bangladeshi ICT engineers.
Read Present world is not of competition but collaboration: Palak
While talking to this correspondent at Jatiya Press Club (JPC), the Japanese expert said digital human resources are one of the important factors for the ICT sector’s development in Bangladesh.
“Digital human resources in Bangladesh can be ICT bridges between the country and Japan,” said the Japanese expert.
He said if young Bangladeshi professionals go to Japan and come back to Bangladesh after 10 to 20 years, both countries will be benefitted.
Dr Kano said Japan has a big challenge — shortage of ICT engineers — because it is becoming an “aging society” and the number of young people is inadequate.
Read: Bangladesh gets drug, precursor test kits from Japan through UNODC
“Young ICT engineers are not many in Japan,” he said, adding that in Bangladesh, many young people do not get jobs immediately after graduation, even in the ICT sector, due to lack of required skills.
The Japanese expert said these two challenges — shortage of ICT engineers in Japan and shortage of good jobs in Bangladesh — can be addressed through cooperation and collaboration.
Dr Kano, who is visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Tuesday.
Read IBBL ICT wing holds discussion, hosts iftar party
He said both soft and hard skills can be obtained through global experiences and the two countries can make ICT business relationships stronger.
The number of Japanese companies operating in Bangladesh has tripled in the past 10 years with an increased attention from ICT companies (offshoring, development center, recruitment, etc.).
On Sunday, he delivered a lecture on “ICT Bridge between Bangladesh and Japan” at ICT Division, joined by more than 100 people – government officials, industry people and students.
Read KUET partners with Huawei to set up ICT academy
Bangladesh gets drug, precursor test kits from Japan through UNODC
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki and the delegates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Thursday handed over drug and precursor test kits, funded by the government of Japan, to the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC).
Naoki said Japan attaches great importance to the implementation of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)," a vision to secure peace, stability and prosperity in the region,
"We will continue to work with Bangladesh to realise the vision through various practical cooperation, including the capacity building of law enforcement agencies."
Md Abdul Wahab Bhuiyan, director general of the DNC, said Japan has been a time-tested friend and biggest development partner of Bangladesh and the country would like to continue to cooperate with Japan to strengthen its control capability of drug trafficking.
Also read: BGB seizes drugs worth Tk 12 crore in Cox's Bazar