Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori on Thursday reiterated the position of Japan and said Bangladesh will keep advancing on a path towards stable development through a peaceful and democratic political transition.
He said Japan will continue its support for Bangladesh’s development and prosperity, standing side by side with the transition process to be led by Chief Advisor Prof Muhammad Yunus of the interim government.
During his meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, the Ambassador mentioned the relations under “Strategic Partnership” enshrined between the two countries.
The Foreign Affairs Adviser said people in Bangladesh in general have a positive feeling about Japan. “The relationship with Japan is excellent.”
He also sought Japan’s support for the sustainable and safe return of the Rohingays to their place of origin.
The Adviser said Bangladesh has done enough regarding the Rohingyas and is not in a position to take anyone more.
Ambassador Iwama said Japan will keep up with the existing projects related to the Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh. He reiterated that Japan will extend all possible cooperation to Bangladesh towards repatriation of the Rohingyas to their home in Myanmar.
The Adviser expressed satisfaction about the proposal and said Japan’s assistance will help Bangladesh to materialize the vision of this mass revolution.
He assured that the interim government is committed to bring rule of law, show zero tolerance to corruption and take every step to make doing business easier.
The adviser paid emphasis on the sectors of investment, trade, commerce, education, human resources development, language learning etc. where Japan can increase engagements.
Ambassador Iwama congratulated the Adviser to shoulder the important tasks of various reforms expected to be implemented in Bangladesh under the new interim government which came into power through a successful students’ led mass upsurge in Bangladesh.
He paid homage to the people who had sacrificed their lives for this movement.
The Foreign Adviser stated that the people of all walks in Bangladesh wanted to end the tyranny and henceforth this interim government had to take the charge to bring a qualitative change in the governance.
Japan is not only a ‘strategic partner’ but also very close to the hearts and minds of the people in Bangladesh, he said.
The interim government will eventually transfer power to an elected government.
Ambassador Iwama explained about the multi-dimensional collaboration between Japan and Bangladesh that has been carried out since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
He said the interim government can put forward any concrete proposal where Japan can help Bangladesh.