Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe assures Hasina of cooperation in development

Abe hoped cooperation between the two countries would be enhanced further in the future, Hasina said after the bilateral meeting on Saturday morning.

The Bangladesh premier spoke about the meeting at the inauguration of the Bangladesh embassy’s chancery complex in Tokyo in the afternoon.

“We have also submitted some other development proposals,” Hasina said.

“I think Bangladesh-Japan ties will be strengthened in the future,” she added.

Inaugurating the new complex, she said, “It’s a day of joy. We have an address now. It seems we have our Bangladesh here now.” 

Her younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present with her on the occasion.

The prime minister noted that Rehana was the only individual alive among the three members of her family visiting Japan in 1973. Sheikh Rehana and Sheikh Russell accompanied Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his official visit to Tokyo in that year. Russell was killed along with Bangabandhu and other members of the family in the violent coup of August 15, 1975. Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana survived as they were on a trip abroad at the time.

The prime minister recalled Japan’s help to Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War. “We can’t forget who were at our side in a time of danger.”

She also thanked Japan for its assistance in building structures such as Bangabandhu Bridge. “This friendship cannot be forgotten,” she said.

She thanked Abe for inviting Bangladesh to the G7 Outreach Meeting.

Hasina also spoke about Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development. “Our next budget will be a huge one. We have achieved the capability for this,” she said.

She urged the officials of the Bangladesh embassy in Tokyo to uphold the prestigious position Bangladesh had achieved in the world.