Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh : Email Bulletin Archive

Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (21st issue / March 21st, 2005)
- Making a Bridge between Japan and Bangladesh - ====================================================================================================

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[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi
"Human Rights and Police Reform"

Public security deteriorated to a serious level in Bangladesh untilRAB (Rapid Action Battalion) started exercising strict control over crimes last June. Since then, the situation has been visibly improved, and most of the people welcomed this improvement.

However, in the process of arresting criminals by RAB, "killing in crossfire" happened frequently. For this reason, some people criticize and blame RAB for extrajudicial killing and violation of the human rights.

One of the reasons for "killing in crossfire" is that the police and the court system do not necessarily function properly. The police officers give criminals the go-by for various reasons, and often charge criminals only on their confessions because of the insufficient investigating capacity.

At the court, defendants in many cases are acquitted of the charge for insufficient evidence. Besides, trials are not always fair due to such factors as political pressure or bribing of judges.

Because of such malfunctions of the police and the court system, the climate of impunity is created that any crimes are committed without being arrested or punished. As a result, the public security has seriously worsened.

To deal with this situation, the Government of Bangladesh may have introduced the supralegal control over crimes by RAB as the emergency measures.

It is not easy for us to decide our stance on this violation of human rights by RAB. One of the most orthodox stances seems to be that such punishment by RAB should be immediately discarded as a constitutional state. However, in this case, the public security will be worse again, and not only Bangladeshi people, but also foreigners will be exposed to crimes as before.

On the other hand, it is not appropriate to justify the supralegal execution by RAB just because it has the backing of most of the people.

As one of the close friends of Bangladesh, Japan can assume the position that Japan will cooperate with Bangladesh in improving the law and order situation as quickly as possible in this country.

However, in this case, despite all over our best intentions, if the Bangladesh side is not ready to make a serious effort for this improvement, it will be difficult for us to move ahead.

Very recently, the Government of Bangladesh has submitted concrete requests for Japan's cooperation in police reform. In last December, Japan, UK, and Bangladesh agreed on tackling with improvement of governance. In accordance with this agreement, we are thinking how to support effectively for the improvement of one of the most important governance sectors--the police in this country.

(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

* Independence Day Seminar (Mar. 23, Dhaka)

Japanese Universities Alumni Association in Bangladesh (JUAAB) will organize a "Seminar on Independence Day Celebration 2005" on March 23, 2005, at 15:30 at Teachers and Students Center (TSC), University of
Dhaka.

In the seminar, Professor Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman, Director of Japan Study Center, University of Dhaka, and Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Director General of International Industry and Technological Agency will deliver speeches on "The Independence of Bangladesh and the role of Japan."

Prof. Dr. Musharif Hossain Khan, Vice Chancellor of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology will attend the seminar as the Chief Guest. Ambassador Horiguchi will also attend it as the Special Guest.

For more information, please contact the Cultural Section, the Embassy of Japan (ex. 151).

* Junior Judo Championship (Mar. 25, Dhaka)

Bangladesh Judo Federation will organize "Independence Day 2005 & 1st National Junior Judo Championship" under the sponsorship of Dandy Dyeing Ltd. on March 24 and 25, 2005.

Major (Rtd) Sayed Eskander M.P., Chairman of Dandy Dyeing Ltd. will attend the closing ceremony on March 24 as the Chief Guest. Ambassador Horiguchi will also attend it as the Special Guest.

For more information, please contact the Cultural Section, the Embassy of Japan (ex. 151).

* Kite and Handicraft Exhibition (Mar. 28-29, Dhaka)

Dhakabashi Organization will organize "Japan-Bangladesh Kite and Traditional Handicrafts Exhibition" on March 28, 2005, at 3pm at National Museum Novera Hall in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan.

Ambassador Horiguchi and Prof. Mahmudul Haque, Director General of National Museum will attend the inaugural ceremony as the Chief Guest and the Special Guest respectively.

Mr. Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, Chairman of Privatisation Commission and Chief Adviser of Dhakabashi will preside over the event.

For more information, please contact the Cultural Section, the Embassy of Japan (ex. 151).

* Japan Education Fair (Mar. 29, Mymensingh)

The Embassy of Japan will organize "Japan Education Fair” in Mymensingh on March 29 at the auditorium of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).

Advisory staff from the Embassy and JUAAB will advise how to study in Japan. Moreover, some Japanese films will be shown.

For more information, please contact the Cultural Section, the Embassy of Japan (ex. 151).

* Japanese Film Festival (Mar. 29-31, Dhaka)

The Embassy of Japan will organize a three-day "Japanese Film Festival" from March 29 to March 31 at the Institute of Modern Languages (IML), University of Dhaka.

The Schedule is as follows.
March 29
16:00 Inaugural Ceremony
16:15 Tombstone for Fireflies
19:00 Sumo Do, Sumo Don't
March 30
16:00 Sadako Story Senbazuru
19:00 Nodo-Jiman
March 31
16:00 Little Elephant
19:00 Ame Agaru (After the Rain)

Free tickets are distributed by the Cultural Center of the Embassy of Japan.
For more information, please contact the Cultural Section, the Embassy of Japan (ex. 151).

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[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* Japanese Speech Contest (Mar. 19, Dhaka)

The Dhaka Japanese Language Institute Alumni Association (DAJLIAA), in collaboration with Japanese Language Department of the Institute of Modern Languages of Dhaka University, and the Embassy of Japan,
organized a Japanese Language Speech Contest at the BRAC Centre, Mohakhali on March 19, 2005 (Saturday). The program was sponsored by the Japanese Association, Dhaka and the Japan Foundation.

Fifteen participants from three Japanese Language Schools took part in the speech contest. The contestants expressed their opinions under respective themes such as the pleasure of studying Japanese, discrimination against women, and traffic problems in Dhaka. As a result, Ms. Tahmina Zabeen who spoke on "Humanism in Lalon's Mystic Songs" won the first prize.

Minister Ukita's speech and the press release are posted on the following website respectively.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/speechcontest050319.html
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/speechcontest190305.html
* Grand Ikebana Contest (Mar. 18, Dhaka)
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ikebana in Bangladesh, the Embassy of Japan and Asia Bunka Kaikan Dosokai, Dhaka, jointly organized the Grand Ikebana Contest at the Spectra Convention Centre,
Gulshan 1, Dhaka on March 18, 2005.

A total of 26 contestants from all over Bangladesh took part in the contest.

Professor S.M.A. Faiz, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka and H.E. Mr. Matsushiro Horiguchi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh attended the awarding ceremony as the chief guest and the special guest respectively.

Ambassador made the following speech at the ceremony.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/ikebana050318.html

* Taka 676 Crore Japanese Loan for Rural Development (Mar. 16, Dhaka)

On March 16, 2005, the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh signed an agreement in Dhaka concerning Japanese loan assistance of 11.345 billion yen (approximately 676 Crore Taka, or 112.7 million US dollars). Ambassador Horiguchi and Mr. Md. Ismail Zabihullah, Secretary,
Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of their respective governments.

The press release is posted on the following website.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/ruraldev160305.html

* Orientation for Mombukagakusho Scholarship Students (Mar. 15, Dhaka)

An orientation program was held at the Embassy of Japan on March 15, 2005 for the 25 Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship grantees of Bangladesh.

Japanese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Matsushiro Horiguchi and the General Secretary of Japanese Universities Alumni Association in Bangladesh (JUAAB) Prof. Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman Khan Chowdhury　attended the
orientation.

At the orientation, the students were informed about various aspects of life in Japan.

The press release is posted on the following website.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/monbukagakusho150305.html

* Agriculture Sector Workshop (Mar. 13, Dhaka)

The SRG Bangladesh, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly organized the validation workshop on "Project Identification Study on Crop Sector Development and Diversification in Bangladesh" on March 13, 2005, at Lake Shore Hotel.

About 70 people involving representatives of the different stakeholder groups from the government organizations, NGOs, private sectors, and the donor agencies attended the workshop.

Mr. Syed Ataur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture presided over the workshop.

Ambassador Horiguchi made the following speech at the workshop.
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/agriworkshop050313.html

* Cultural Events in Chittagong (Mar. 4-6, Chittagong, Khagrachhari)

Chittagong Ikebana Society organized Ikebana Contest on March 4, 2005, at Saint Martin Hotel in Chittagong. On the same day, Chittagong Nippon Academy organized Japanese Speech Contest and a reception in honor of Ms. Farida Parveen, a famous baul singer.

Moreover, Chittagong Nippon Academy and the Embassy of Japan jointly
organized a film festival at Parjatan Hotel in Khagrachhari.

At the festival, "Tombstone for Fireflies" and "Little Elephant" were shown.

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[4] JBCCI Report
"Doing Business with Japan and My Experience"
Mr. Pramatha Barua Proprietor, Falguni Trade International

In 1975, I joined as Manager in M/S. Robin Printing & Packages Ltd. To import and to get the better price and good quality of raw-materials Paper and Board, I had to communicate with the different suppliers of various countries like Japan, Germany, China, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, and Taiwan.

Gradually, I got letters and cable reply from Japanese Trading Company like M/S. Daiwa Trading Co. Ltd, T. Yamada & Co. Ltd., Asami Boeki Co. Ltd., and M/S Osaka Printing Ink Co. Ltd.

I also had a desire to establish a firm. In 1982, I took indenting registration and established a firm named Falguni Trade International as the name of our daughter Falguni.

As my service was going on with M/S. Robin Printing & Packages Ltd, I decided to resign over my job in March 1984. On 28th of April, 1984, suddenly, Chairman of Robin Printing expired. His eldest son, Mr. Fahim Hussain, Managing Director of the company who was in UK requested me to stay with them and use their office as my office and manage my office from their premises. Then, I accepted his offer and started running my official work with Robin Printing at the same office.

In 1987, I was invited to visit Japan, which was my first trip to Japan. I visited Mishima Cigarette Paper Company and Oji Paper Company. The Export Manager of Oji paper company, Koike-San agreed to visit Bangladesh in 1988 as our guest. At that time, Falguni Trade International hosted a dinner party with about 100 invitees at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel. In the party Mr. Sakamoto, the First Secretary of Japan Embassy and Managing Director Mr. Kutsumo Hara of JETRO also were present.

Japan is a great country. The country is the pioneer of trade and industry in the world. Among my trading parties, I feel much pleasure in doing business with Japan, because Japanese people are very transparent, pleasant, and friendly. I thanked Japanese trading parties as they have highly evaluated my efforts to expand paper import to Bangladesh.

Now Falguni Trade International is a famous name in the field of supplying Japanese paper and paperboard of all sorts. My Japanese trading partners do not always confine our relations within business; moreover they have extended family bonds with my family members for which I am immensely impressed. This bond has further strengthened when Japanese trading parties had taken much trouble in attending the matrimonial ceremony of my only son. In this context I pay my highest regards to His Excellency, Mr. Matsushiro Horiguchi, Honorable Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh who along with the Madam had kindly graced the occasion by their kind presence.

I am ever grateful to my Japanese trading partner Mr. Y.Sakai, Managing Director of M/S. Daiwa Trading Co.Ltd., Kobe, who has extended valuable support to me.

(Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) Website)
http://www.jetro.go.jp/bangladesh/eng/jbcci/index.html

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