[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi

"The Inauguration of Rupsha Bridge and Development in South Asia" On May 21, there was the inauguration ceremony of Khan Jahan Ali Bridge (Rupsha Bridge) which was built with financial assistance from Japan. Mr. Shuzen Tanigawa, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the ceremony.

This was as immense a construction as Lalon Shah Bridge (Paksey Bridge) that was opened to traffic last year. Rupsha Bridge will bring huge benefits to Bangladesh and neighbouring countries; it will not only contribute to economic and social development in and around Khulna, the third biggest city in Bangladesh, but also make big progress in building a transportation system so that Nepal and Bhutan could utilize the Mongla Port, the second biggest port in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh took an initiative to establish the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with six other countries in 1980 in order to achieve prosperity through regional cooperation. However, due to political strains and disagreements between member countries on several issues, the SAARC has not achieved expected results yet.

Recently, there were more VIP visits between Japan and India to expand bilateral trade and investment relations with the purpose of expanding the strategic partnership.

It is right for Japan to give higher priority to deepening its ties with India, a big regional power, in devising Japan's strategy in the South Asian region. However, Japan should also support the other countries in the region with proper consideration to development in South Asia as a whole, since Japan recognizes peace and prosperity in South Asia as one of its core diplomatic goals.

India and Sri Lanka signed a free trade agreement several years ago and since then, bilateral trade and investment have rapidly expanded between them. It is a good model for other neighbours to replicate and follow.

India has proposed to Bangladesh a free trade agreement in which India would unilaterally abolish tariffs on Bangladeshi exports for 10 years and then Bangladesh should do the same for Indian exports. However, Bangladesh has not made any response yet to the suggestion.

Bangladesh would certainly attract more foreign investment if products produced here could obtain duty-free access to the huge Indian market. Of course, it goes without saying that infrastructure such as electricity supply and the improvement of regulatory framework are necessary conditions for inducing more foreign investment.

I believe that Japan could build true strategic partnership with South Asian countries if we take a broad-based outlook on the region including India and Bangladesh and encourage all countries in the region to overcome disagreements and nurture active cooperation in order to realize peace and prosperity in South Asia.

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

[2] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* Senior Vice Foreign Minister's Visit to Bangladesh (June 10-11)
Mr. Ichiro Aisawa, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Bangladesh from June 10 to 11. He called on Prime Minister H.E. Khaleda Zia and met Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Morshed Khan and other high government officials. The issues discussed at these meetings ranged from bilateral to global, including the United Nations reform.

* Bangladesh National Day at EXPO 2005 (June 9, Aichi, Japan)
Bangladesh celebrated its national day at 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan on June 9. Mr. Mahmudur Rahman, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Board of Investment, attended the celebration and other cultural programs with H.E. Mr. Serajul Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh in Japan, Mr. Nasreen Awal Mintoo, Bangladesh delegation leader to the expo and other high officials from both sides.

The 2005 World Exposition has been held in Aichi, Japan from March 25 to September 25. Under the theme of "Nature's Wisdom," 121 countries including Bangladesh and 4 international organizations are participating in the Expo. Bangladesh has a pavilion where some 50,000 people per day enjoy learning about its lifestyle, history and arts.

(News articles about this national day celebration)
http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/jun/11/11062005bs.htm#A1
http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=6/11/2005&section_id=2&newsid=1106&spcl=no

* Ikebana Show by JUAAB (June 8, Dhaka)
An ikebana show and a certificate giving ceremony were held at Japanese Universities Alumni Association in Bangladesh (JUAAB) on June 8. Bangladeshi members of JUAAB who earned their degrees in Japan introduce art of ikebana in Bangladesh.

(JUAAB's website)
http://www.juaab.org

* Japan's Country Assistance Program Interim Report (June 6, Tokyo)
Since last year, Japan has been working to revise its Country Assistance Program (CAP) for Bangladesh to synchronize with the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) process and to better support the development efforts of Bangladesh.

The Interim Report of CAP, outlining basic principles and priority goals and sectors of Japan's future assistance to Bangladesh, was discussed at the ODA Strategy Council with the attendance of Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on June 6 in Tokyo. After a series of consultations with various stakeholders, Japan's CAP for Bangladesh is expected to be finalized this autumn.

The full texts of the following documents are posted on the website: (Interim Report of Japan's Country Assistance Program)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/jp/bdmodel/doc/050606JapanCAPInterimReport.doc

[3] Upcoming Event on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* Seminar on Rural Livelihood in Flood Prone Area (June 14, Dhaka)
The Seminar entitled "Approach of Rural Livelihood Development in Flood Prone Area" will be held by LGED (Local Government Engineering Department) and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) at LGED headquarters on June 14 from 10am to 1:30pm. Speeches and presentations will be made by senior officials from LGED, JICA and DFID.

[4] Special Interview with Senior Vice Foreign Minister

Mr. Ichiro Aisawa, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Bangladesh from June 10 to 11. On this occasion, Ms. Saori Nagase, Editor of the E-Bulletin, conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Aisawa. Below is the text of the interview:

Q: This is your first trip to Bangladesh. What was your image of Bangladesh and how did it change after seeing around in Dhaka?
A: I was impressed with the number of people in town. When I visited Sadarghat, I was overwhelmed with stuffiness and smell. It was surprising to see children swimming and washing their bodies in a river. It showed me the toughness of the Bangladeshi people. As I watched people's faces very carefully, I noticed that there was a sort of dignity in their appearances. I like crowds very much, things that tell about people's real existence and the smell of them. If you want to know a country better, you need to see people and towns. Also, you may want to know how people and things are moving around and how business is conducted.

Q: What are necessary steps for Japan and Bangladesh to further enhance the bilateral relations?
A: Bangladeshi people have a very friendly attitude towards Japan. We should continue our efforts to deepen mutual understandings through human exchanges. In order to get to know each other better, we need to have more dialogues and to understand what kind of person or a country the other is and what kind of thought he or she has.

Q: What is important for Bangladesh to achieve economic development?
A: Bangladeshi people need to define what kind of country they want to build, what kind of people they want to become and what they desire to achieve. Making efforts for a defined firm objective is quite different from having vague dreams or longings.

Q: What interested you to become a politician?
A: Politics is very interesting; it is challenging but at the same time, rewarding. It involves shaping a country and influencing it, and ultimately, the world. The role of Japan depends on time and situation; Japan's role now should be different from that in the 22nd or the 23rd century. Currently, Japan sits in an advantageous position
from where it can greatly influence the world by using its technological, economic and cultural power. Many things are possible for Japan. Japan's policy can make a great impact on development and poverty reduction in developing countries. Also, Japan has a unique role in the maintenance of peace and security. Thus, accountable politics is needed, and politicians take huge responsibilities.

Q: What is the secret behind maintaining your health against such a hard assignment as a Senior Vice-Minister? Also, as I understand that you make a lot of business trips abroad, how do you prevent jet lag?
A: In order to stay healthy, I eat and drink well and try not to carry stress over to the next day. I am not the type of a person who dwells on things. Jet lag can be avoided by sleeping well.

Q: I learned that you like taking photographs. Did you have a chance to take pictures in Dhaka?
A: I took a picture of demonstrators among many others. Those who have something to appeal have an edge. They look very serious and radiant, because they are trying to deliver their thoughts to others. I like taking pictures of people. A camera is like a toy for me. I often bring it with me either in Japan or abroad.

Q: Would you like to send a message to readers?
A: Let's bring our efforts together so that Bangladesh becomes a more fascinating country. Bangladesh is a very appealing country to me. It is like I could not help wondering about it. I will keep paying attention to Bangladesh and also keep myself involved with it. I hope that Bangladeshi people should not be discouraged by any failures and keep their heads up.

This text is also posted on the following website:27e-bulletin120605.htm
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/interview_aisawa110605.html

[5] Message from Japan Development Scholarship (JDS) Fellow

"Local Government and Development" (Mr. Nahid Hossain, Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police, Munshiganj District Police)

I would like to start thanking the authorities concerned, especially ERD, Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh, and Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), for selecting me as a JDS Fellow for 2005-2006.

Every change begins with a vision and a decision to take action. Often an important social change begins with a single entrepreneurial change. Bangladesh Grameen Bank's micro credit program, which was innovated by Dr. Mohammad Yunus, has changed lives of millions of poor women by providing them with credit worthy and productive.

Unfortunately, there has been a few, almost nil, examples on the Government side. The Government of Bangladesh needs effective policies for development and this is the reason for why I have chosen "Local Government and Development: an Institutional Review of the Role of Local Governments in Japan and in Bangladesh" as my research area at Public Administration of Yamaguchi University, Japan.

Although the constitution of Bangladesh recognizes local government institutions as an integral part of overall governance, they (local governments) lack credibility among the members of community. Community people seem to have no confidence of the role and function of local governments as effective institutions.

At present, local government representatives are not capable of executing their full responsibilities. In general, they suffer from three types of inadequacies: the absence of democratic sensibilities, the lack of clarity about their roles, and deficiencies in their technical proficiency.

It is partly because they do not get sufficient training and orientation that would enable them to acquire substantive and operational skills. There are not many female officers in local governments and no efforts can be seen in order to improve it. As a result, gender disparities hinder good governance at the local level.

The role of police as an engine of development can easily be equated. Police is responsible for ensuring social stability, which is vital for good governance and poverty reduction. In addition, good governance largely depends on the quality of bureaucracy.

Since I am working as a Police Supervisor now and as a bureaucrat in future, acquiring knowledge of development strategies will be very important for me to involve in pro-development policy formulation.

Below are 7 ways how I will contribute to the development of Bangladesh using my knowledge obtained in Japan:
a) By formulating policy frameworks that ensure concepts of development;
b) By ensuring transparency and accountability;
c) By strengthening ties between local and central governments:
d) By devising a sustainable solution to foster development at micro-macro level,
e) By advocating reorganization and rationalization of local governments;
f) By building administrations responsible for regional development;
g) By building more effective law enforcement authorities.

I hope to acquire institutional and academic knowledge and techniques in order to contribute to the process discussed above. Master of Economics at Yamaguchi University will definitely help me in this regard. Not only myself but also Bangladesh thus shall benefit from my study through the JDS 2005-2006 programme.

(Japan Development Scholarship for Bangladesh)
http://www.jice.org/english/jds/bangladesh_org.html

[6] Information

* Tokyo Tech UNESCO International Research Course for the Environment
Tokyo Institute of Technology will offer the program in the field of Water Resources Management and Environment to young and well-qualified academic researchers and educators in Asian and Pacific countries. The program is sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan in collaboration with UNESCO.

The program provides round-trip air tickets and approximately JPY175,000 (TK87,500) monthly stipend for the duration of the program. For prospectus and application documents, please visit the following website:
http://www.iad.titech.ac.jp

[7] Editor's Note

This issue of E-Bulletin is delivering you for the first time an interview with VIP. Mr. Aisawa, a politician, soccer player and photographer, kindly accepted our request to share his thoughts in this E-Bulletin. I hope you enjoyed reading the transcript and am looking forward to hear any comments you may have. (Saori Nagase)