What's New

      On October 6, 2026, H.E. Mr. SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, signed the grant contracts with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), at the Embassy of Japan. Under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), the Government of Japan will provide USD 145,000 to expand access to tuberculosis (TB) screening in Dhaka’s slum areas.
 
      The grant will fund “The Project for Procurement of Land Cruiser for Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Dhaka District.” Through this project, icddr,b will procure one Toyota Land Cruiser and one Fujifilm portable digital X-ray unit, enabling mobile teams to bring TB screening directly to communities with limited access to healthcare.
 
      The project is expected to provide screening services to approximately 9,000 people annually. By helping to detect previously undiagnosed TB cases and connect patients with appropriate medical care, it will contribute to earlier treatment and help prevent the spread of infection.
 
      In his remarks, Ambassador SAIDA stated: “Japan places great importance on human security—protecting people’s lives and dignity. This project puts that commitment into practice by bringing essential health services closer to people who face barriers to care.”
 
      An international health research institution based in Bangladesh, icddr,b develops and delivers practical, scalable solutions to health challenges affecting vulnerable populations. This project will bring together its public health expertise and Japanese technology to improve access to essential health services.
 
      Mr. Ichiro Kashitani, Vice Chairman of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, also attended the signing ceremony.  Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Fujifilm will support the project by providing technical training on the use of the vehicle and equipment.

      Japan has supported 224 NGO projects through GGP since 1989 with the view to enhancing economic and social human security in the grass-roots levels. The total sum of these GGP grants extended to approximately USD 17.8 million.