Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo organized a Reception on 28th March 2022 at Hotel New Otani – a historical venue where the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stayed during his Japan visit in 1973. In the grand reception, approximately 300 guests including high officials from Foreign Ministry and various ministries and agencies of Japan, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions, renowned businesspersons, academicians, journalists from Japan and Bangladeshi expatriates attended.
H.E. Mr. Honda Taro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan was the Chief Guest. In addition to a number of Ambassadors and high dignitaries, the following dignitaries attended the reception program: H.E. Mr. Shunsuke Mutai State Minister for Environment & Member of the House of Representatives, H.E. Mr. Minoru Kiuchi, Chairperson, Foreign Affairs Committee, House of Representatives, H.E. Mr. Shingo MIYAKE Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Akihiro Nishimura, Member of the House of Representatives, H.E. Mr. Shinpei Matsushita, Member of the House of Councillors, H.E. Mr. Iwao Horii, Member the House of Councillors, and H.E. Mr. Tatsunori Ibayashi, Member, the House of Representatives.
The event started with playing of the National Anthems of Bangladesh and Japan successively. After this, H.E. Mr. Honda Taro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan delivered his remarks on the occasion as Chief Guest, which was followed by reading out of messages from H.E. Taro Aso, President of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL) by H.E. Mr. IBAYASHI Tatsunori, Member of the House of Representatives and Secretary-General of JBPFL. After this, the Chief Guest and H.E. the Ambassadors conducted cake cutting ceremony which was followed by taking group picture. On his remarks, Chief Guest expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the government and people of Bangladesh. He said Japan and Bangladesh have fostered a firm friendship and developed a heart-to-heart relationship in a wide range of areas in both the public and private sectors over the past 50 years. He mentioned that Japan attaches great importance to its relationship with Bangladesh, which is situated in a strategic location and plays an important role in the region’s development.
Mr. ASO Taro, President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the government and the people of Bangladesh on behalf of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League on the occasion of the 51st Independence and National Day of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. He said, this year is a special one, which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh. He mentioned, Japan and Bangladesh is now enjoying closer ties than ever before.
In his remarks, Ambassador Shahabuddin recalled with gratitude The Greatest Bengali of All Times, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who laid the foundation of a strong bilateral relations with Japan during his visit in 1973. Bangladesh's Foreign Policy motto “Friendship to all and malice towards none” emanates from his vision. Bangabandhu made it a point to visit all those friendly countries who recognized Bangladesh soon after independence, and Japan was one of them. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina followed her father’s legacy and visited Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019 to further strengthen our bilateral relations to elevate our relations to a “Comprehensive Partnership”.
Ambassador Shahabuddin encouraged more and more Japanese investors to invest in Bangladesh. With bilateral trade of about 3 billion USD, Japan is still our top export destination in Asia. He said that Bangladesh remains open to explore opportunities to further deepening and widening of our bilateral relations, not only by greater trade and investment cooperation, but also in the areas of infrastructure, ICT, high-tech products, electronics, deep sea fishing and mining, high-end consumer and bio-tech products, renewable energy, skilled and professional manpower engagement, tourism, direct air connectivity, and promotion of cultural exchanges to the mutual benefit of our two peoples.
Ambassador Ahmed stated that the next 50 years would be greatly important for Bangladesh as we play our role in the “Asian Century” of growth and development. We look to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while mitigating challenges like conflict and climate change. It is important to have leadership, vision and political stability to move in the right direction. He encouraged young generation to serve their country to the fullest of their ability to realize the “Golden Bengal”- as dreamt by our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
The Embassy made arrangement for an exhibition of historical documents and photographs, the past and present of our steadfast bilateral relations for the guests who visited these items with great interest.
It may be mentioned that Embassy observed the 51st Independence and National day on 26th March 2022 in a befitting manner. A floral wreath was placed at the portrait of the Father of the Nation located at the Embassy premises followed by hoisting of the national flag. The Embassy brought out special newspaper supplements in mainstream major daily newspapers - Japan News and The Yomiuri Shimbun.
