Tourists from Japan say Bangladesh is safe

A group of visiting Japanese tourists have found Bangladesh safe and its people filled with dreams.

They have even found the traffic jam enjoyable!

Clearly happy with their sojourn that began on Jan 20, the tourists enjoyed their last night in the country as guests at a banquet hosted in their honour by Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashed Khan Menon.

During the banquet, the tourists heaped praises on Bangladesh while narrating their experiences in the country, which they have come to visit within five months of a terror attack that claimed the lives of seven of their compatriots.

Yatsu Si Yashita said, "I will go back and tell the Japanese Bangladesh is still a safe country. Everyone can come to travel Bangladesh without any worries."

Yashita's love for Bangladesh dates three decades back when he first set foot here.

In fact, he went against the advice of many and came along with his family to visit Bangladesh 21 days into the infamous Gulshan attack that left seven Japanese among the 20 foreigners killed in the attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery on Jul 1.

Yashita believes the Holey Artisan incident was a stray event.

"I felt that to be an isolated event. Coming here this time I received the cooperation of all concerned including the tourist police," he said trying to emphasise his impression of Bangladesh being a safe country.

The youngest in the group, 21-year-old Totomo Sahahara was especially fascinated by the dreams in the people of Bangladesh.

"The people of Bangladesh know how to dream. They know what they want to become. In Japan if some youths were asked the question, many would fumble for an answer," he said.

Another tourist, a retired Japanese civil servant, found beauty in the traffic gridlock of Bangladesh as well.

"The traffic jams here are cumbersome, but if one wishes one can enjoy even that as well. When the vehicle is stranded on the road, one can gather a sense about the everyday life by looking at the sights outside", the tourist said vowing to go back and ask others to come and visit Bangladesh.

During their five-day visit, the tourists visited two villages in Nawabganj and Manikganj.

They are slated to return Tuesday morning.

Speaking on the occasion, tourism minister Menon expressed his deep sense of sadness at the killing of innocent Japanese nationals during the Gulshan carnage 'for no fault of theirs'.

He told the visiting Japanese tourists that the prime minister has declared a zero-tolerance policy towards terror.

He pointed out that in the aftermath of the Gulshan and Sholakia incidents, the government has clamped down on terrorists leading to the elimination of 50 militants and the arrest of many others.

He pointed out that the target killings that had become quite common and had even claimed the life of a Japanese national--Kunio Hoshi--was under control at present.

The crackdown following the Gulshan-Sholakia has managed to end these target killings as well.

He, however, said the menace of terrorism was a global problem and urged Japanese cooperation in fighting against it.

Addressing the tourists after they shared their experiences. he said, "I do believe that the trust has been  created that Bangladesh is a safe country. The doors of the country are forever open to you."

Acknowledging Japanese cooperation to some of the vital infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, he also invited Japanese entrepreneurs and investors to to visit Bangladesh.

Taking a leaf out of the reactions of the tourists, the minister conceded tourism infrastructure was still at a nascent stage in Bangladesh.

He sought Japanese cooperation in this regard.

"I am sure with your help Bangladesh will surely march forward."