The Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations
Dhaka February 10 2022 :
The Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan today (10 February 2022) with due fervor.
The event was hosted at the New Otani hotel, where the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, stayed during his historical and first official visit to Japan in 1973. Bangabandhu had chosen Japan as one of the first few countries to visit after independence. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Sheikh Hasina, visited Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019 and successfully elevated the relations to a ‘comprehensive partnership’.
The Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Honda Taro was the Chief Guest.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Shahabuddin quoted from the speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that was delivered at an official dinner of his Japan visit, “We have been watching with profound admiration and, if I may say so, with a sense of pride as fellow Asians, the tremendous achievements of Japan in the social and economic fields which constitute one of the most powerful influences of our time.” He further added, “The experience of Japan cannot but hold lessons for other countries such as ours”. Ambassador Shahabuddin recalled that following the experience of Japan, Bangabandhu wanted to turn Bangladesh into a major social and economic force.
The goodwill video messages from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan were screened followed by video message of Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. A K Abdul Momen and message from the President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League, Taro Aso.
An exhibition of diplomatic archive documents and photographs showcasing the past and present of the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan, unveiling of design of commemorative stamps by Japan Post, presentation of commemorative coin by Japan Mint enriched the content of the momentous occasion.
The event ended by the viewing of video titled “Welcome Bangabandhu” on the historic visit of the Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan on 18-24 October 1973.
