Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said industries in Bangladesh must be diversified as it may need to cope with the emerging new challenges. "Expansion of Japanese FDIs particularly from the private sector will help Bangladesh address those challenges," he said. Ambassador Naoki made the remarks while addressing a hybrid seminar on “Bangladesh-Japan Partnership for the Next Development Journey” hosted by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Wednesday.  Read:13 diplomats in Dhaka show solidarity with Ukraine holding its flag together It was part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan.  Planning Minister MA Mannan spoke as the chief guest at the event.  Kazi Nabil Ahmed, MP, member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Shahabuddin Ahmed, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan also joined. “Economic cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh has been remarkable and bilateral trade and investment will expand further," said Ambassador Naoki. 

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said Japan will continue to work towards early repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar noting that a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis will be helpful to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific. “I’m of the view that a durable solution to this crisis will be conducive to realising Free and Open Indo- Pacific,” he said on Wednesday. The Japanese Ambassador mentioned that his country will continue contributing to the better living conditions of refugees and host communities in collaboration with international organisations and NGOs.

The Japan Desk, recently opened in Chattogram, is expected to contribute to "solving investment issues" that Japanese companies face and also attracting new Japanese investments by promoting the potential of entire Chattogram region, including Matarbari and Mirsharai special economic zones (SEZs). The “Japan Desk” at Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will play an important role in further promoting Japanese companies’ activities in Bangladesh, especially in Chattogram, says the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka. Read:Japan expects Hasina to visit Tokyo next year On Tuesday, the opening ceremony of the CCCI Japan Desk was held at Bangabandhu Conference Hall, World Trade Center. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki, Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh Hayakawa Yuho, CCCI President Mahbubul Alam, President of JBCCI Asif A. Chowdhury, President, Japan Chamber and Industry Association in Dhaka Kawai Hikari and Country Representative, JETRO Ando Yuji attended the ceremony It is meaningful to have a Japanese-specific window in CCCI in a sense that it will not only be of help for existing Japanese companies, but will also contribute greatly to promoting the expansion of new companies, said the Embassy. Read: Dhaka-Tokyo ties growing beyond bilateral front: Japanese Vice Minister During the past 10 years before COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of export, FDI and the number of Japanese companies has increased by about 2 times, more than 3 times and 4 times for each. The export amount has recovered from COVID-19 pandemic by about 10% in FY20/21 from FY19/20. In addition to development cooperation, the economic relationship between Japan and Bangladesh will become much stronger, said the Embassy.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday described Dhaka-Tokyo relationship as "rock solid", noting that Japan came out to help Bangladesh without reservation.

Japan has extended a grant of US$68,633 (approximately Tk 5.49 million) to Dhaka Community Hospital Trust (DCHT).

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel on Thursday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina allocated land near Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the city to build an international standard complex for adaptive sports.

Japan wants Myanmar to ensure the required environment in Rakhine State so that the Rohingyas, now temporarily sheltered in Cox’s Bazar, can return to their place of origin as soon as possible, says its Ambassador here in Bangladesh.              

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said all the spans of the Padma Bridge will be installed by July 2020.