Press Release

The Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2017 Spring Imperial Decorations on 29 April. Among 105 recipients, Air Vice Marshal A.G. Mahmud T.Bt, p.s.a. (Retd.) received “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.” The conferral is in recognition of his great contribution to rescuing the hostages from the Japan Airlines flight hijacked by the Japanese Red Army in 1977, and thereby promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and Bangladesh. As the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Mahmud played an important role as a mediator between the Government of Japan and hijackers and negotiated with hijackers placing the highest priority on saving the lives of the hostages safely. His dedicated efforts made it possible for all 151 hostages to be rescued eventually. He was Chief of Air Staff (1976-77), Presidential Advisor (1976-77), and Minister for Food, Relief and Rehabilitation (1982-85). He is now 83 years old.