BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday (June 4, 2023) said the country’s people, not the Prime Minister, will decide whether they will go to the USA or not. “It is her (PM’s) personal matter whether she will go to any particular country or not. It’s also a matter of their decision whether the 17 crore people of Bangladesh will go to that country or not,” he said. Talking to reporters after a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Khosru also said the people of Bangladesh will decide whether they will go to the USA for their personal, business, professional, family and educational purposes. “The Prime Minister can’t take a decision in this regard,” Khosru, also the chairman of BNP’s foreign affairs committee, observed. Also read: Japan wants to understand what’s happening in Bangladesh and where it’s headed, BNP says as ambassador meets Fakhrul Earlier on Saturday (June 3, 2023), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said it does not matter at all if someone does not go to the USA crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a 20-hour- plane journey. “There are other oceans and other continents in the world and we’ll make friends with those continents crossing the other oceans. Our economy will be stronger and more developed and vibrant,” she added. The PM also said Bangladesh will run on its own feet and the government will build the country. “We will not be dependent on others, who will not give us visas, who will impose sanctions on us.” Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the Prime Minister is not worried about the US sanctions or visa restrictions but a neutral election. Read more: BNP’s complaints to foreign countries didn’t yield any results: Quader “The Prime Minister becomes ill and suffers from headache when any country talks about fair elections under a neutral caretaker government,” he said. Speaking at a food distribution programme arranged by Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal’s Dhaka south city unit on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office marking party founder’s 42nd death anniversary, Rizvi said the Prime Minister said it matters little if anyone does not go to the USA. “Then why don't you keep your son in the country? Why do your sons and daughters live abroad? Why did you keep your son in the United States instead of any other friendly country of yours?” he questioned. He said Sheikh Hasina will not take any steps for holding a fair election and establishing a caretaker government as she considers the country’s people as her enemies. Read more: Govt to blame for US’s disrespectful visa policy: Fakhrul “If an impartial caretaker government is established, the people of the country will be able to vote freely and fairly. She knows people won’t ‘vote for her party. So, doesn’t want a neutral caretaker government to come,” the BNP leader said.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori met BNP’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (June 4, 2023) and discussed Bangladesh’s next general election and the overall political situation. Talking to reporters after the meeting at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, the party’s standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that Japan, like other democratic countries, wants to see a free, fair, and acceptable election in Bangladesh. Read more: Govt to blame for US’s disrespectful visa policy: Fakhrul “Bangladesh’s relations with Japan expanded significantly since we started the free market economy during the BNP government. That is why they (Japan) want that relation to continue even if the government changes,” he said. Chowdhury, along with the party’s Organising Secretary Shama Obaid, was present at the meeting. They discussed the overall electoral system of Bangladesh and the current human rights situation, he said. Like other countries, Japan might have concerns about Bangladesh’s next election, human rights situation, rule of law, press freedom, and people’s security, the BNP leader said. “So, they want to understand what is happening in Bangladesh, what is going to happen in the future, and where is Bangladesh headed?” – he said. Read more: Movement to restore democracy going towards final stage rapidly: Fakhrul Chowdhury, also the foreign affairs committee chairman of BNP, said the Japanese envoy talked about his country’s investment in Bangladesh – both in the private and public sectors. He said they informed Iwama Kiminori about the country’s overall situation, but he declined to elaborate on it. The BNP leader said many countries are concerned about the investment atmosphere and the future of Bangladesh. “The situation we’re going through now has created apprehension among countries. So, they’re trying to understand how Bangladesh will be in the future and how the election will be.” Read more: ‘We’re taking plan according to road map prepared for national election,’ CEC tells Japanese Envoy Asked whether Japan will play any role in ensuring a peaceful and fair election in Bangladesh, Chowdhury said the democratic countries have already expressed their goodwill regarding the elections in Bangladesh. “Japan is no different. Everyone wants a free, fair, and acceptable election in Bangladesh.” He said the new Japanese ambassador has paid a courtesy call on the BNP secretary general. Stating that Bangladesh-Japan friendship is time-tested, the BNP leader said bilaterally, friendly relationship with Japan is above all. Read more: Japan eyes broader ties with Bangladesh under strategic partnership: Ambassador Kiminori

A delegation of Bangladesh Ikebana Association (BIA) on Sunday met newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori at the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka. Prof Dr AKM Moazzem Hussain, founder of BIA, led the delegation and explained BIA’s mission, vision and its activities in Bangladesh since 1974. Life patron and honorary CEO of BIA Masud Karim said Japan is a friendly country of Bangladesh and the two countries have long diplomatic relations. “Along with Ikebana, we will continue to work to deepen the cultural relations between these two countries in the future,” he said. President of Bangladesh Ikebana Association Shahinoor Baby said they always seek the cooperation from the Ambassador in all their Ikebana activities in Bangladesh. The Ambassador said that the Embassy of Japan will always cooperate with the BIA and its activities as much as possible, said a media release. Bangladesh Ikebana Association held various programmes on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Japan-Bangladesh diplomatic relations in June last year.

Outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh ITO Naoki today hoped that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, peace, stability, socioeconomic development and democratic process of Bangladesh will continue. He conveyed the message while calling on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s deputy press secretary KM Shakhawat Moon briefed reporters after the meeting. He said that both also discussed the Rohingya issue and agreed that the more than one million forcibly displaced Myanmar citizens are a huge burden for Bangladesh. Read more: Momen praises Japan as its outgoing envoy Naoki meets him They put emphasis on the Rohingyas’ safe return to their homeland in Myanmar.  The Prime Minister highly appreciated Japan’s assistance to set up shelter for Rohingyas in Bhashanchar island after developing it. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the businessmen of Japan to come up with larger investments as Bangladesh is a lucrative place for investment. The Prime Minister hoped that the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Japan would be enhanced further. She appreciated Japan's support in implementing mega projects of Bangladesh such as Matarbari deep sea port, third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and Dhaka Metro Rail. The Prime Minister sought continuous support in Bangladesh's development while the Japanese envoy assured of always standing beside the country in its development efforts. Read more: Japan will continue to work toward resolution of Rohingya issue: Ambassador Sheikh Hasina also sought Japanese cooperation in developing a dedicated tourist zone for foreigners. The Japanese envoy described it as a good initiative and expressed eagerness to cooperate. Sheikh Hasina congratulated the Japanese envoy for successful completion of his tenure in Bangladesh and his role in enhancing bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Japan. The Japanese envoy said the foundation of the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan had been forged through Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's visit in 1973. PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah was present in the meeting.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki paid tribute to the victims of the Holey Artisan Bakery attack Friday on the sixth anniversary of the deadliest night of terror in the country's history that saw 22 civilians, mostly foreigners, killed in Dhaka's Gulshan. Ambassador Naoki laid wreaths at the site of the Holey Artisan Bakery Attack, the monument to the victims at the Italian Embassy and the monument to the police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2016. The Japanese envoy expressed his condolences for the victims. He also stressed remembering their contribution to the development of Bangladesh.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki on Thursday met Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and discussed Japan's cooperation in economic development. Issues related to Kanchpur, Meghna, Second Gumti bridges and Dhaka Metro Rail were discussed. They sought to promote further collaboration on infrastructure through public–private partnership (PPP) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funding. Read: Jaishankar in city to meet PM Hasina "Japan has been the largest development partner for Bangladesh, and we will continue to work closely with the government and the people of Bangladesh," said Ambassador Naoki. Quader expressed appreciation for Japan's contribution to Bangladesh's infrastructure and economic development.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said innovation and technology development will play a key role in coping with new challenges as Bangladesh graduates from LDC status soon. He made remarks at a webinar jointly organized by the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Robot Olympiad recently.  Takahashi Tomotaka, CEO, ROBO GARAGE.Co. Ltd delivered a lecture at the webinar on “The Creation of a New Robot Era, said the embassy on Monday.  Read: Adopt modern technology in cargo handling: BGMEA president Ambassador Naoki said Tkakahashi’s works inspire young students to realize new avenues in high-tech engineering and its practical application in Bangladesh. In his lecture, Takahashi, the well-known Japanese robot creator, showed the video of a robot astronaut KIROBO in the mission on board the International Space Station.  The world’s best-selling humanoid, ROBI, and Guinness record holder Evolt were also introduced. 

The Embassy of Japan and Bangladesh Olympic Association on Tuesday jointly organized the encouragement rally for the Bangladeshi Olympic team virtually as the host is excited to welcome the Bangladesh Olympic team to Tokyo.         Three Olympians representing Bangladesh - Ruman Shana, Junayna Ahmed and Abdullah Hel Baki attended the rally. Zahid Ahsan Russel, State Minister of Youth and Sports attended it as the chief guest.  Md. Akhter Hossain, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Shaikh Bashir Ahmed, Vice President of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA), Syed Shahed Reza, Secretary General, BOA, and other high officials also attended the rally. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki said as the host nation, they are genuinely excited to welcome the Bangladesh Olympic team to Tokyo.  READ: Bangladesh Olympic Association President meets PM "On behalf of the Japanese government and Japanese people residing in Bangladesh, I would like to convey my best wishes and a hearty send-off to the Bangladeshi Olympic team," he said.  The Ambassador said they are committed to ensuring that the Games are held safe and secure.  "Therefore, please rest assured and visit Japan without any worry. Do concentrate on your performance. The safe and secure Games in Tokyo will show the world that we can unite people's hearts and minds globally and get over the difficulties with the efforts and wisdom of humankind," said the Ambassador. Showing gratitude to everyone, Ruman Shana and Junayna Ahmed expressed their goals to achieve their best result this time. Zahid Ahsan Russel said, “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude for organizing this pre-departure reception for Bangladesh contingent on the evening of attending TOKYO 2020 Olympic Games virtually." He said this is a remarkable moment for Bangladesh and her best friend Japan as well.  READ: Tokyo Olympics to be held mostly without spectators due to pandemic "The relationship between Bangladesh and Japan is very much friendly and historical. Japanese government and her people have extended all-hearted sympathy to Bangladesh during the critical days of our great liberation war," he added. 

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito has said Japan’s friendly relations with Chattogram in the field of education and skill development will further be enhanced in the coming year.