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Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (16th issue / January 9th, 2005 )
- Making a Bridge between Japan and Bangladesh - ====================================================================================================

[Table of Contents]

[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi "New Developments in Bangladesh "

[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Discover Japan through Contemporary Posters (Jan. 18-31, Dhaka )
* World Conference on Disaster Reduction (Jan. 18-22, Kobe, Japan )
* Cultural Events (Feb., Dhaka )

[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* " Bangladesh Japan Friendship" Seminar (Jan. 8, Dhaka )
* Grant Aid for ICDDR,B's Flood Relief Activities (Jan. 6, Dhaka )
* "Bridging the Gap through Language" Seminar (Dec. 29, Dhaka )
* Ikebana Exhibition of Ms. Maleka Khan (Dec. 24-25, Dhaka )
* Ambassador's visit to Mymensingh (Dec. 22, Dhaka )

[4] Information
* Japan 's Assistance for the Tsunami Disaster in the Indian Ocean

[5] JBCCI Member Report
"A glimpse of Japanese Culture & Japan's Maritime Industry" Mr. Rashed A. Ali, Director & COO, NYK Line ( Bangladesh ) Ltd.

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[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi "New Developments in Bangladesh "

A Happy New Year to you all.

I wish all of you the very best in the year of 2005. I hope that Bangladesh makes desirable progress this year around. Today, I would like to point out the following four trends observed in the last year to foresee this year's developments.

First, a boom in construction industry has continued for one or two years. Shopping centres, supermarkets, restaurants, and elegant apartments have been built everywhere in Dhaka, especially along the Gulshan Avenue. Besides, to prepare for the SAARC Summit, the beautification project of the capital progressed rapidly. Dhaka has been changed out of all recognition in comparison with the last year. I hope for more development of the private sector and continuation of beautification drive in Dhaka.

Second, several bombing incidents occurred last year. The British High Commissioner was wounded in Sylhet, and grenades were blasted at an Awami League rally on August 21. Besides, large scale of weapon smugglings were detected in Chittagong and other areas. However, most of these incidents have not been disclosed, and none was punished. As a result, public security became seriously deteriorated.

However, things apparently have been getting better since special and elite security forces such as Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) started tightening control over criminals since June. Because law and order is the key to effective governance as well as a deterrent to corruption, further improvement of governance is expected.

Third, regarding the political climate preventing the development of Bangladesh, especially hartals, Mr. Abdul Hamid, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament announced in early December that their strategy had changed from hartals to "Human Wall" or "Human Chain."

After that, although there were some hartals by affiliated organizations of Awami League, the decision by Awami League has been an epoch-making one for the development of Bangladesh 's democracy and the expansion of national economy. I hope this new strategy is firmly established at any cost.

Moreover, during the end of the last year, Mr. Sajib Wajed Joy, a son of Sheikh Hasina, President of Awami League, came back to Bangladesh from the United States, and suggested that he would go into politics. This may be a chance to reactivate Awami League and transform the whole political scene in Bangladesh.

Fourth, in July and August, Bangladesh suffered the biggest flood after 1988. Besides, in September, there was the record-breaking rain, which was the highest since the last fifty-four years. Although hundreds of people were drowned and the economy was damaged a lot from these disasters, the Government of Bangladesh is overcoming without death from hunger, with the assistance of the international community. Compared with former huge disasters where more than one hundred thousand people died in one disaster, the preparation against natural disasters has remarkably improved.

Concerning the recent tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean, the Government of Bangladesh dispatched two vessels and two aircraft with relief goods to Sri Lanka and Maldives. If Bangladesh establishes a system to share its valuable know-how obtained through many disasters for the restoration of these suffered countries, it will be a great step in respect of the international contribution of Bangladesh.

(Ambassador's past messages are posted on the following website.)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/eBulletin/index.html

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[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* Discover Japan through Contemporary Posters (Jan. 18-31, Dhaka )

The Embassy of Japan and the Bangladesh National Museum will organize a twelve-day poster exhibition, "Discover Japan through Contemporary Posters" from January 18 to 31, 2005, at the Begum Sufia Kamal Auditorium, Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka.

Mr. Kazi Abul Kashem, Secretary, Ministry of Culture will grace the inaugural ceremony on January 18 from 4 p.m. as the Chief Guest. Fore more information, please contact the Cultural Section, Embassy of Japan.
E-mail: information@embjp.accesstel.net
Tel: 8810087 (ex.151)

* World Conference on Disaster Reduction (Jan. 18-22, Kobe, Japan )

World Conference on Disaster Reduction will be held on 18-22 January 2005 in the City of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Bangladesh plans to send a senior representative to the Conference.

In December 2003, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution submitted by Japan to convene the World Conference to conclude the review of the Yokohama Strategy. The Conference is to be held on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. For more information, please visit the following website.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/un/conf0501.html

* Cultural Events (Feb., Dhaka )

The following Japan-related cultural events are being planed. Please mark the date!

(Feb. 19) JUAAB Bengali Speech Contest (Venue is not yet fixed)
(Feb. 24) Discover Japan Exhibition (National Public Library)
(Feb. 25) Japan Cup Karate Tournament (Mirpur Indoor Stadium)
(Feb. 27-28) Bonsai Exhibition (Venue is not yet fixed)

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[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* " Bangladesh Japan Friendship" Seminar (Jan. 8, Dhaka )

Bangladesh Japan Friendship Association (BDJPFA) organized a seminar on "Bangladesh Japan Friendship" on January 8, 2005, at Samarkand Restaurant, Gulshan-1.

Ambassador Horiguchi made a speech on the close relationship between our two countries from the independence of Bangladesh.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/59sp_bulbul080105.html

* Grant Aid for ICDDR,B's Flood Relief Activities (Jan. 6, Dhaka )

On January 6, the Ambassador Horiguchi signed a contract of grant aid amounting to US$ 77,806 (approximately Taka 46 lac) with Dr. David A. Sack, Executive Director of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh : Centre for Health and Population Research (ICDDR,B).

The project is aimed at training NGO workers on emergency relief activities; monitoring the water quality; and providing water purifying chemicals, materials for food distribution, and emergency medical services in an eastern lowland area of Dhaka.

The press release is posted on the following website.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/57pressicddrb060105.html

* "Bridging the Gap through Language" Seminar (Dec. 29, Dhaka )
International Seminar on Language Education in Bangladesh : "Bridging the Gap through Language" organized by Dhaka Language Club was held on December 29, 2004, at the National Press Club, Dhaka.

Ambassador Horiguchi made the following speech at the seminar.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/58sp_dlc291204.html

* Ikebana Exhibition of Ms. Maleka Khan (Dec. 24-25, Dhaka )

The first solo Ikebana exhibition of Ms. Maleka Khan was held on December 24-25, 2004, at Galleri Kaya.

She was awarded the Order of the Precious Crown, Apricot, by the Government of Japan in 2001. She was the first Bangladeshi national to receive this award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Ikebana in Bangladesh over 35 years.

Ambassador Horiguchi made the following speech at the inauguration ceremony as the Chief Guest.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/56sp_maleka241204.html

* Ambassador's visit to Mymensingh (Dec. 22, Dhaka )

Ambassador Horiguchi attended Completion Ceremony of Northern Rural Infrastructure Development Project (NRIDP) at the NRIDP Project site in Mymensingh on December 22, 2004.

At the ceremony, Ambassador Horiguchi said that the Government of Japan would continue to promote rural infrastructure improvement to facilitate poverty alleviation through creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the project area.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/55sp_nridp221204.html

Ambassador also visited newly-constructed Dhobaura-Guatala-Tarakanda Road and bridges financed by Japan 's assistance.

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[4] Information

* Japan's Assistance for the Tsunami Disaster in the Indian Ocean

The Special ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami was held on January 6, 2005, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, announced Japan 's grant assistance amounting to US$ 500 million (approximately Taka 3060 crore) at the meeting.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/asean/pmv0501/address.html

Japan's Response to the Earthquake off the Coast of Sumatra and Tsunami Disaster in the Indian Ocean is also posted on the following website.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/assist0501.pdf

For more information about the Japan 's assistance, please visit the following website.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/disaster/indonesia/index.html

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[5] JBCCI Member Report

"A glimpse of Japanese Culture & Japan's Maritime Industry"Mr. Rashed A. Ali, Director & COO, NYK Line ( Bangladesh ) Ltd.

November is perhaps the best season to visit Japan. The writer had a unique opportunity to attend the 5th NYK Global Week in Tokyo,Yokohama, Osaka and Kyoto between November 13 and 20, 2004.

Twenty key persons from NYK subsidiaries around the globe were invited by the senior management at this bi-annual event for exchanging views and sharing knowledge about the core businesses of NYK Line and to foster goodwill and fellowship among its staff working all over the world. Another feature of this event was to allow the attendees to know about Japanese culture and heritage.

Prior to beginning a rather hectic week, I took a short warm-up site seeing tour of Kamakura, once the seat of Japan 's military government of Minamoto Yoritomo in 1192. Kamakura, sometimes called Kyoto of Eastern Japan, is also famous for the big bronze 'Great Buddha' statue of 13.35 meter height.

Japan's maritime history dates back centuries, yet the new era of Japan's maritime industry begun its true global journey about 120 years ago, when Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) began its operations on October 1, 1885, soon after its formation by a merger between Mitsubishi Kaisha and Kyodo Unyu.

NYK Line started Japan's first regular overseas long distance servicesby expanding its coverage to the Indian sub-continent by 1893 when the 'Hiroshima Maru' sailed for Bombay, mainly for carrying cotton toJapan. Thereafter, NYK Line's business expanded steadily between 1911 and 1936.

However, challenges and uncertainties emerged after the outbreak of

the Second World War when NYK lost 185 vessels, mostly requisitioned by the Japanese Army and Navy, and more than 5000 employees lost their lives.

A period between 1945 and 1955 marked the reconstruction of Japanese commercial fleet. NYK built its first container vessel 'Hakone Maru' in 1968 having a capacity of 752 TEUs.

Today, NYK owns and operates about 800 vessels, including a vast fleet of Post Panamax container vessels having above 6000 TEUs capacity along with almost all types of ocean transportation means that are available.

The NYK Maritime Museum, recently renovated and refurbished, is worth visiting to know the history of a maritime nation. The museum offers a chronological view of the history of NYK. Exhibits are also supported by audio and visual presentations.

NYK Maritime Museum was awarded the coveted ' Yokohama Human City Design' award by Yokohama City Authority in July, last year.

Next morning, the group was bundled to the nearby subway of Shinagawa to take a train to the NYK head office at ' Yusen Building ' in Marunouchi. ' Yusen Building ' is another old building overlooking the Imperial Palace, a beautiful landscape in Tokyo.

Lots of businesses were discussed and debated and lots of home work awaited at the NYK Training center at Tobitaku in the outskirts of Tokyo over the next two days.

Of course, a big recess awaited after two days of gruelling working sessions. So, Wednesday evening came as a great delight ? a superb gala dinner cruise on board 'Lady Crystal' in the vicinity of Tokyo Bay was organized. It was more like a popular tourist event of ' Tokyo by Night', when skyline of magnificent Tokyo city displays extravagance of colors and lights.

Our group moved to Osaka on Thursday. We queued up at the entrance of a pre-reserved coach at Tokyo Station. As soon as 'Shinkansen' or the bullet train stopped, we hurried to our seats afraid of a rocket take-off scenario.

It was unbelievable that this train could reach Osaka in just two and half hours. It was an amazing experience on board and perhaps a lifetime dream for many people from our country where it takes six hours by express train to cover a distance of merely 200 miles.

After we alighted from Shinkansen, we retired for the night in the comfort of Osaka Hilton hotel.

The weather was bright and beautiful on Friday morning. After breakfast, we were all set for the most exiting and relaxed tour of Kyoto, previously Japan 's capital for over 1000 years.

It was like a veritable open-air museum and park. Since my boyhood, I was thrilled to see the most colorful calendars of Japan portraying temples and surroundings of Rock Garden at Ryoanji Temple - and, God gave me the opportunity to see these places.

The most beautiful and ever famous Kiyomizu Temple is a great attraction drawing visitors from all over the world. The view from the magnificent Temple was simply incredible!

Our next stop, Kodai Yuzen-En, is a gallery in Kyoto. Inspired by the beautiful scenery of Kyoto, where each season unfolds its own beauty and charm. The Japanese artists created Nihon-ga, the traditional Japanese patterns dyed onto white silk known as Yuzen-zome, very popular in Japan 300 years ago ? what we see today, the marvelous colors and patterns spread over Kimono- the Japanese national costume.

A visit to Kodaiji Temple, the lit temple after sunset, was our last spot for the day.

After enjoying a farewell dinner at a local authentic Japanese restaurant, followed by a cultural presentation by Maiko sans, we said Sayonara to our hosts.

Thus, the recent tour of Japan was not only a typical business tripfor us, but a truly enjoyable and educational trip, which gave all of

us a unique opportunity to explore and get to know Japan 's culture

better.

(Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) Website)

http://www.jetro.go.jp/bangladesh/eng/jbcci/index.html

(NYK Line( Bangladesh ) Ltd. Website)

http://www.nykline.com

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