Bangabandhu believed in Japan model of development

Bangabandhu believed in Japanese model of development and sought cooperation of Japan in rebuilding the war-torn country immediately after independence.  The friendship of Father of the Nation with Takashi Hayakawa, the then Member of National Diet—popularly known as Mr. Bangladesh, has played a very crucial role in building the rock solid foundation of  friendship between the two nations.

Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said this as the chief guest at a webinar titled "Bangabandhu and Japan."

Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry jointly with Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka organised the webinar to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

Masud Bin Momen, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Professor Dr. A.S.M. Maksud Kamal, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of Dhaka; and Naoki Ito, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Bangladesh spoke as special guests. The webinar was chaired by Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Chairman, Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka.

Dr. Muhammad Abdul Mazid, former secretary and Advisor of the JBCCI; and Ms. Mayumi Murayama, Executive Vice President, IDE-JETRO, Japan spoke among others. Yuji Ando, President of JBCCI delivered welcome address while Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun), Secretary General of JBCCI delivered the vote of thanks. 

The speakers discussed the contributions of Bangabandhu in building the solid foundation of bilateral relations between Japan and Bangladesh. 

Masud Bin Momen recalled the assistance of Japan during the War of Liberation in 1971. Professor Dr. Maksud Kamal, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Dhaka as special guest spoke on the foresightedness of Bangabandhu while building up diplomatic tie with Japan. 

Naoki Ito, while speaking as special guest, stressed the need of promoting Japan-Bangladesh relations for building Sonar Bangla, dreamt by the Father of the Nation. As a discussant, Ms. Mayumi Murayama emphasized on improving research activities where she thinks, Department of Japanese Studies can play the pivotal role. 

As the chair of the webinar, Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun mentioned that the role of Bangabandhu in establishing the bilateral relation between Japan and Bangladesh is still underrated. There are a lot of opportunities to study Bangabandhu and Japan. He has called for more researches by JETRO, JBCCI, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh where Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka will render all out support.