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Japan-Bangladesh E-Bulletin (46th issue / Mar 16, 2006)
- Making a Bridge between Japan and Bangladesh -
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This E-Bulletin is to share updated information and stories about Japan-Bangladesh relations with as many people as possible.
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[Table of Contents]
[1] Messages from Ambassador Horiguchi "Building Collapse and Land Issue"
[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Japanese Language Speech Contest (Mar 24, Dhaka)
* Seminar on Trade and Investment (Mar 27, Chittagong)
[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Japan's Support for School Building (Mar 15, Dhaka)
* Seminar on Japan's Modernization (Mar 13, Dhaka)
* Visit by Members of Parliament of Japan (Mar 8 -12)
* Solid Waste Management Conference (Mar 5, Dhaka)
* 12th Asian Art Biennale in Bangladesh (Mar 5-31, Dhaka)
[4] Information
* Speech by Japanese Foreign Minister "The Hallmarks of Economic
Diplomacy for Japan" (Mar 6, Tokyo)
* Contribution by Japanese Foreign Minister "Japan Welcomes China's
Democratic Future"
[5] Speech by Ms. Yasuko Bhuiyan at the Bengali Speech Competition "My Wish for Bangladesh"
[6] Relay Essay by Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka (Sho-ko-kai) Members "Visiting Bangladesh After 20 Years" (Mr. Ebina, Former JICA Expert)
[7] Editor's Note
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[1] Messages from Ambassador Horiguchi "Building Collapse and Land Issue"
As many as twenty-five people were perished when a six-story building under refurbishing in Tejgaon collapsed at the end of February. It reminded me of two other incidents: seventy female workers died in the collapse of a nine-story garment factory in Savar last April, and more than 11 people died in the collapse of a six-story building in Shakharibazar in the old part of Dhaka city in June 2003. In both the cases, manymore were injured in addition to those who lost their lives. Without question, non-compliance of building codes has been pointed out as a major cause of these incidents.
However, Dr. Aftab Alam Khan of Dhaka University pointed out other reasons for building collapse, introducing the witness of "the sound of an electronic generator," in the March 4th edition of the Daily Star.
According to him, less than the half of metropolitan Dhaka has original engineering bedrock while more than half is "depressed/subsided land, low land, and network of buried/incised channels of varying depths."These areas are connected by innumerable channels which deposited sands, silts, and clays during rainy and flood seasons or are filled up artificially.
In addition, those "channel-fill deposits" have red soil eroded from high lands mixed with original red soil and highly vulnerable to liquefaction because of the buried/incised channels underground. The liquefaction is caused not only by earthquake but also by continuous slow vibration, which produce "liquefaction pockets." Those channel-filled lands are also in danger of underground scouring. The artificially filled areas are also vulnerable because of the "pockets of organic soil."
The collapsed building in Tejgaon was built on the edge of a depressed land and a buried/incised canal previously known as Mohakhali Khal. The building that collapsed last year in Savar was in a similar situation.Dr. Khan is apprehensive that RAJUK does not have a "hazard vulnerability map of Dhaka metropolis" and insists that it is "utmost important" to oblige major constructions to clear geological inspections.
In the absence of the hazard vulnerability map, apartment buyers in Dhaka have no way to make sure that the ground is safe but are left to chance.
It is reported every year particularly in rainy seasons that several whole villages are washed away due to the erosion in Bangladesh where numerous rivers of various sizes run across the country. The eroded soil accumulates and produces new islands in low lands; however, those who have lost their lands due to the erosion cannot necessarily claim the title. People in those rural areas lose their lands, which they inherit from their ancestors or purchase finally after a lot of hard work. People in urban areas have to worry if they lose their valuable apartments or properties due to the liquefaction process. These deeply affect the Bangladeshi people's feelings about their lands, which lead them to cling more to rare and changeable things as well as to accept one's loss with resignation.
I learned that 85 percent of civil cases in dispute are related to titles to lands when I visited the High Court of Dhaka. Their biggest problem is said to be a long period of time required to reach a settlement because of the shortage of judges. I think many of the problems in Bangladesh including this issue are related to the special condition of their lands.
(The article by Dr. Aftab Alam Khan on the Daily Star)
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/03/04/d603041501115.htm
(Past messages from Ambassador Horiguchi)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/eBulletin/index.html
(These messages were compiled in a single booklet.)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/eBulletin/pdf/makingabridge2.pdf
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[2] Upcoming Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Japanese Language Speech Contest (Mar 24, Dhaka)
Dhaka Japanese Language Institute Alumni Association (DJLIAA) will organize the Japanese Language Speech Contest at Banquet Hall, Hotel Abakash, Parjatan Corporation, on Friday, March 24 from 4 to 6pm. The event is sponsored by the Japan Foundation in cooperation with the Japanese Language Department of Dhaka University and the Embassy of Japan.
Around 20 Bangladeshi students will show their Japanese language abilities to the audience including Ambassador Horiguchi. They are studying Japanese at International Modern Language Institute of Dhaka University, Dhaka Japanese Language Institute, and other language schools.
* Seminar on Trade and Investment (Mar 27, Chittagong)
The Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) and Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JBCCI) will organize "Promotion of Trade & Investment: Japan-Bangladesh Initiatives" at the Chamber House, Agrabad C.A., Chittagong, on Monday, March 27 from 10am to 12:30pm. Ambassador Horiguchi and other distinguished guests will be present.
There will be presentations by members of both CCCI and JBCCI and open discussion by participants. The seminar is open to non-members of CCCI and JBCCI members. Please contact respective organizations for further details.
(CCCI Office)
Mr. Osman Gani Chowdhury, Secretary and Chief Executive
Tel: 711-355, 713-366
(JBCCI Office)
Tel/Fax: 886-0105
E-mail: jbcci@citech-bd.com
http://www.jetro.go.jp/bangladesh/eng/jbcci/index.html
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[3] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations
* Japan's Support for School Building (Mar 15, Dhaka)On March 15, Ambassador Horiguchi signed a Grant Contract of US $ 86,907 (approximately Taka 60 lac) with Executive Director of International Angel Association Bangladesh (IAA), Mr. Md. Azizul Bari.
IAA receives this grant for the Project for Extension of School Building at Konabari and Gazipur Districts. This project aims at providing facilities for education and training to more than 500 children to make them creative and imaginative. In addition, IAA extends its activities to orphans, fatherless poor children, and women.
In Bangladesh, a total number of 118 projects covering 98 NGOs have already received grant of US$ 7.8 million (approximately Tk 55 crore) under Japan's scheme. It has been significantly contributing to the NGOs' efforts to promote social development at the grassroot level in Bangladesh.
(Press release regarding the signing ceremony)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/pdf/pr_angelassociation150306.pdf
* Seminar on Japan's Modernization (Mar 13, Dhaka)
Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JBCCI), JETRO, and the Embassy of Japan jointly organized a seminar on "Sources of Success for Japan's Modernization- Historical and Cultural Perspective" at the National Press Club on March 13.
President of the Tokugawa Memorial Foundation, Mr. Tsunenari Tokugawa, who is also the 18th Head of Tokugawa Shogunal Household, made a key-note speech, focusing on the Japanese people, the modernization process of Japan and its relevance to the development of Bangladesh.
Ambassador Horiguchi made a following speech:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/sp_tokugawa130306.html
(Tokugawa Memorial Foundation)
http://www.tokugawa.ne.jp/
* Visit by Members of Parliament of Japan (Mar 8 -12)
H.E. Mr. Shin Sakurai, Member of the House of Councillors of Japan and President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary League, visited Bangladesh from March 8 to 12.
He called on Prime Minister H.E. Begum Khaleda Zia, Opposition Leader H.E. Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Former President, H.E. Mr. Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Morshed Khan, Speaker of the Parliament, H.E. Barrister Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar, and Chief Whip of the Parliament, Mr. Khondkar Delwar Hossain, MP.
In addition, he visited erosion sites in the south-eastern part of Bangladesh accompanied by Minister for Water Resources, H.E. Major (Rtd.) Hafizuddin Ahmed and Ambassador Horiguchi.
From March 9 to 12, H.E. Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Member of the House of Representatives and former Minister for Foreign Affairs, made a visit to Bangladesh. He met with Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Morshed
Khan and others in the Government and the Parliament.
* Solid Waste Management Conference (Mar 5, Dhaka)
Dhaka City Corporation and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly organized Bangladesh Solid Waste Management Conference 2006 at Radisson Water Garden Hotel on March 5. Honourable Mayors of six major cities around Bangladesh and Ambassador Horiguchi addressed the solid waste management issue, aiming at networking for the urban cities of Bangladesh.
Ambassador Horiguchi's speech is available at the following website:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/sp_waste050306.html
(JICA' Support for Solid Waste Management in Dhaka City)
http://www.jica.go.jp/bangladesh/activities/01_4_1.html
* 12th Asian Art Biennale in Bangladesh (Mar 5-31, Dhaka)
The 12th Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh was held from 5 to 31 of March at Osmani Memorial Hall. The Japan Foundation participated in this modern art exhibition by sending two Japanese artists, Mr. Hiroshi Fuji and Mr. Yuken Teruya.
The works of Mr. Fuji and Mr. Teruya shared a concern with used, waste materials and this can be re configured or re-appropriated to create other possibilities.
(Press release about Japan's participation in Art Biennale)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/pdf/pr_biennale060306.pdf
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[4] Information
* Speech by Japanese Foreign Minister "The Hallmarks of Economic Diplomacy for Japan" (Mar 6, Tokyo) Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, made a policy speech entitled "The Hallmarks of Economic Diplomacy for Japan" at the Japan National Press Club on March 6. In his speech, he argues
for the Foreign Ministry's role and strength in pursuing the national interests in the economic diplomacy.
Full text of his speech is posted on the following website:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm/aso/speech0603.html
* Contribution by Japanese Foreign Minister "Japan Welcomes China's Democratic Future"
Minister Aso contributed to the March 13th edition of the Wall Street Journal and the Asian Wall Street Journal. Under the title of "Japan Awaits China's Democratic Future ("Japan Welcomes China's Democratic Future" in the Asian Wall Street Journal)," he showed his positive view about the spread of democracy in Asia and the progress in China in particular.
Full text of his article is posted on the following website:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm/aso/contribute0603.html
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[5] Speech by Ms. Yasuko Bhuiyan at the Bengali Speech Competition "My Wish for Bangladesh" (The following is an English translation of a speech made by Ms. Yasuko Bhuiyan at the Bengali Speech Competition on February 18.)
My husband is a Bengali. Our family emigrated to Bangladesh 4 years ago, because of my husbands' earnest wish to raise our two children in his home land.
I came to Bangladesh 25 years ago for the first time. While I was a Pedagogy student at a university. I've spent 3 months at Jamalpur as a volunteer of Japanese NGO.
I did not know a single word of Bengali. However, by spending large amount of time with Director's family, who has kindly accepted me to stay at their home, as well as with many villagers, by the time I left, I have learnt to communicate. This was entirely due to talkative and friendly villagers.
I love talking with people even now. This is because I love to see smiling faces beyond conversation.
When accompanying my children to school, I walk or ride Rikishaw. I go everywhere around the city by local bus or Tempu. I go to markets by myself. Once in a while, I encounter a problem, but there is always someone there to help me out.
In prewar days, Japan has experienced poor period. I have heard the story of people selling ones' clothes in order to buy rice. To some extent, it resembles the life of Bangladesh today. But, one big difference is that the most Japanese who has studied abroad returned to Japan, shared their experiences and knowledge with others and worked as one for the development of their own country.
I have heard most Bengali who go abroad to study do not return. If most of them return and do their best for this country, it can surely be changed for the better. To improve this country, that is, for each and every person to lead a humane life, poor population has to be decreased. This country should be where everyone can have 3 meals per day, everyone can receive an adequate medical attention, and every children can receive education. Bangladesh has to become such a country. I believe this wish is not only mine but also a wish of everyone as well. It is also a wish of people of other countries who is giving economic and technical assistance to Bangladesh.
I am also doing my best as a foreigner bringing up children in this country. I sincerely hope this country will become a place where all children, including my own, can have hope for the future and wish to live here,not in another country. Please continue to do your best for your own future as well as for the better of this country.
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[6] Relay Essay by Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka
(Sho-ko-kai) Members
"Visiting Bangladesh After 20 Years"
(Mr. Ebina, Former JICA Expert)
In June 2002, I got a chance to work in Bangladesh again 20 years after my previous assignment, which was from May 1979 to 1982. Dhaka had surprisingly changed from those days.
A primary task for my first assignment was to build living infrastructure which required a lot of time as well as hard work. No apartment was available yet; almost all Japanese were living in independent one-unit houses in Dhanmondi, Gulshan or Banani areas. Banani had a lot of vacant spaces and looked peaceful. Baridhara was full of fields and ponds. A rental house came with no furniture or electrical appliances but only the bare floor. It took a lot of efforts to settle down under these conditions and this experience helped me later to start up my life in other countries.
The power-cut occurred more often and especially in hot summer, it was difficult to do without electricity. Whenever we played "Mahzan," we had candles at the four corners of the Mahzan Board so that the game would not be interrupted by the power-cut. The heat of the candle light raised the temperature and it was not easy for us to be patient or concentrate on the game. Today, I wonder how I was able to go through those experiences.
Traveling by a car around in Bangladesh was also quite different in those days. In absence of bridges from Dhaka to Chittagong; we had to cross three rivers by ferries which required a lot of time. We had to start our journey very early morning to avoid traffic jam and to make up for the waiting time for the ferries. In harvest seasons, we often saw vehicles running over natural paddy being dried under the sun in rural areas. It surprised us and made us appreciate the effective utilization of a public facility.
I have very little chance to visit rural areas this time. I wonder whether the situation has changed or not. At least I can see that bridges and a distribution system enhanced by them have had a great effect on the economic development of Bangladesh. The situation in urban areas has changed drastically. High-rise buildings, a number of cars and traffic jam were unthinkable in those days. Some areas have changed beyond our imagination. The Dhaka Airport was the only modern construction in the neighborhood when it was completed in 1980. In those days, there was no building on the airport road from Banani to the airport and in rainy seasons, we saw boats with sail along the roadside. Today, the surrounding area has changed dramatically.
Sonargaon Hotel, constructed by Japanese Yen Credit, was also completed during my first stay. We were able to see it from the Farmgate area since it was the only high-rise building in Dhaka. It has few windows and it was said that the design was to keep a balance with the surrounding (some barracks were nearby). The Japanese-style mini-beef-steak there was always a great treat for us.
After 20 years, people's outfits in Dhaka have become much better including wearing shoes. One of the most significant changes is that we can now see many women on the streets; some are also working. Bangladesh proclaimed martial law during my first stay and so the law and order situation was good. Today, this country is facing problems including political instability, environmental degradation and the increase of crime. However, it is perhaps true that a lot of economic and social progress has been achieved during the past 20 years.
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[7] Editor's Note
Since the academic year of Japan ends in March, it is now the season of graduation ceremonies in Japan. Hence, March is the season of "good-by." It sounds sad but entering a new phase of one's life means a lot more. I want to send cheers to those who are moving on to a new startling line.
Editor, Saori Nagase
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