Bangladesh's energy touches Abe

Japanese Prime Minister has felt the energy of Bangladesh’s people during his first Dhaka visit.

Shinzo Abe has shared this when Bangladesh’s Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury called on him in Tokyo.

The foreign ministry on Saturday said during the meeting, Abe recalled the “warm hospitality” he received in Bangladesh during his Sep 6 to Sep 7 visit.

He also expressed deep gratitude at the withdrawal of Bangladesh's candidature for non-permanent membership on UN Security Council in favour of Japan.

“During my recent visit I had a firsthand experience of feeling the energy of your people,” Abe particularly mentioned.

The Speaker started her three-day official tour to Japan Friday to attend the ‘World Assembly for Women (WAW): Tokyo 2014’ at the invitation of Abe.

The foreign ministry said in her first day of visit, she met with the Prime Minister, Speaker of the Lower House of Japanese Diet, Deputy Vice Chairperson of the League, and President of the Upper House of the National Diet.

She also attended the WAW reception hosted by Prime Minister Abe and first lady Akie Abe.

During her meeting with the Prime Minister, the Speaker appreciated his “active interest and commitment in promoting women's empowerment globally”.

She also praised the Japanese Premier for his vision of increasing the percentage of women in leadership positions in Japanese society to 30 percent by 2020.

She mentioned that WAW could be a unique platform for raising women’s voice throughout the globe and Prime Minister Abe would be “an icon” for the campaign of women empowerment.

During her meeting with the Speaker of the Lower House of Japanese Diet Bunmei Ibuki, the two speakers welcomed the ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ between Bangladesh and Japan recently launched by the two Prime Ministers.

Ibuki also expressed gratitude for Bangladesh's withdrawal of candidature for non-permanent membership on UN Security Council in support of Japan.

Chaudhury noted the special responsibilities of parliamentarians in developing people to people contact between the two countries.

She also stressed on sharing experiences among parliamentarians during her meeting.

Speaker Chaudhury also met the President of the Upper House of Diet Masaki Yamazaki at his office.

Yamazaki appreciated the outstanding achievement of Bangladesh in women empowerment and gender equality.

The Speaker also attended 'WAW Open Forum' at Japan Business Federation where Prime Minister Abe made the opening remarks, and Managing Director of IMF Christine Lagarde gave the keynote speech.