Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh and Japan are now presented with an ideal opportunity to take the bilateral relations to a new height by upgrading it to a closer and deeper 'Strategic Partnership'.
He said the relationship was elevated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former prime minister of Japan late Shinzo Abe to a 'Comprehensive Partnership' in 2014.
Momen was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the second International Hybrid Conference on "Japanology in New Era", organised by the Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka at Senate Auditorium, University of Dhaka on Saturday.
"Our excellent bilateral relations have been enriched in content and dimension in recent years under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who visited Japan five times as prime minister," said the Foreign Minister.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit Japan in April this year, as per a UNB report.
Japan's prompt recognition of Bangladesh's independence on February 10, 1972, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman undertook a historic visit to Japan in October 1973 and laid the foundation of today's exemplary bilateral relations between our two countries, Momen said.
Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, vice-chancellor of the University of Dhaka, chaired the discussion.
Iwama Kiminori, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, Shahabuddin Ahmed, ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan, Nobuhiko Sasaki, chairman & CEO of JETRO, Hideki Hara, managing director of Japan Foundation, among others, spoke.
Momen said Japan has been a household name in Bangladesh due to its amazing economic progress, advanced science and technology, unique culture, disciplined lifestyle and work ethics, and long history, but most importantly, the kind of affinity and sympathy that the Japanese people feel for Bangladesh.
It was exemplary that Japanese school children donated their lunch money for the flood victims of 1970 and for the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, he said.
"Bangladesh always reciprocated that feeling. We express solidarity and empathise with the Japanese people when they are troubled with natural calamities like earthquakes, landslides, typhoons, or floods," Momen said.
Momen recalled fondly his several visits to Japan, including the two most recent ones, in April and September 2022, when he was warmly received by his Japanese counterpart and his Harvard Alumni friend, Hayashi Yoshimasa.
"These meetings gave us the opportunity to discuss how to further increase the content of our bilateral relations and facilitate more people-to-people exchanges," he said.
Momen urged Japan Foundation to chalk out more specific programmes for Bangladesh, explore the existing bilateral cultural exchange programme and even consider opening an office to bring Japanese language, art, culture, and other hidden treasures of Japan's long and colourful tradition in a bigger way to Bangladesh.
He also encouraged the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Public and Private Universities and other relevant entities to take Bangladesh art, culture and colourful traditions to Japan.
"These are much needed as we look to elevate our existing relations, where we need to encourage more exchange of minds, inclusive participation, and creative activities at the people level to take our bilateral relations forward," Momen said.