Dhaka, Tokyo celebrate 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

GBNEWS24DESK//

Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan on Thursday with due fervor.

The Embassy organized a reception in a local reputed hotel the New Otani. The venue has a historical connection to the long-standing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan, reports UNB.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stayed at this hotel during the historical and first official visit to Japan in 1973.

Bangabandhu had chosen Japan as one of the first few countries to visit after independence.

That historic visit laid the foundation of the unwavering friendship between the two countries and its peoples till today, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019 and successfully elevated the relations to a ‘comprehensive partnership’ level encompassing mutual cooperation at bilateral, regional and global level.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed welcomed the guests to the reception where Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Honda Taro was the chief guest.

Ambassador Ahmed expressed gratefulness to Japan and its people for their recognition of newly independent country Bangladesh on 10 February 1972.

He said from 1972 to 2022, it has been a journey of moving together in an unwavering show of friendship and solidarity, mutual trust and understanding.

The Ambassador recalled that following the experience of Japan, Bangabandhu wanted to turn Bangladesh into a major social and economic force.