United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Md. Daud Ali has returned to Dhaka ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s scheduled official visit to Japan, apparently keeping him away from activities related to the visit. Secretary (Bilateral - East & West) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam was sent to Tokyo to coordinate preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit scheduled for October 26-29. Dr Nazrul held a meeting with officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, a diplomatic source told UNB. Ambassador Daud Ali is currently staying in Dhaka. The move is considered unusual, although the reasons behind the decision could not be independently ascertained. Daud Ali assumed office as Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan on December 12, 2024, after serving as the country’s Ambassador to Romania. He previously served as Director General (Consular and Welfare) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A career foreign service officer from the 15th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Foreign Affairs cadre, Ali has served in various capacities at Bangladesh missions in Tokyo, Pretoria and London during his diplomatic career. He also served as Consul General at the Bangladesh Consulate in Kunming, China, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the ministry’s headquarters, he held various positions across different wings. Daud Ali obtained a master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Rajshahi.    

The Japan-Bangladesh Society (JBS) is an organisation of leading Japanese who are closely associated with Bangladesh. Formed in 2014, this relatively new organisation is already making significant contribution in cementing further the friendly ties between Japan and Bangladesh and is also serving as a window to allow Japanese people to know about the country better. Former Japanese ambassadors who served in Bangladesh, leading Japanese academics involved in research about various aspects of Bangladesh, leading business houses in Japan and business community leaders with commercial interest in the country, as well as NGO representatives, media related people and students who are studying Bangla or subjects related to Bangladesh are members of this group. The society is already enjoying high reputation in Japanese community.

The government has appointed Shahabuddin Ahmed as the next Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan.

The government has appointed Shahabuddin Ahmed, former Food Secretary now on post-retirement leave, as Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan for three years on contractual basis.