Ambassador's Speech on Emperor's Birthday
2017/12/10
Ambassador of Japan H.E. Hiroyasu Izumi's speech on Emperor's Birthday Reception
His Excellency Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali, Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Distinguished Guests,
Diplomatic Colleagues, and Our Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamualaikum!
Good afternoon and Konnichiwa.
Sincere welcome to all of you to our reception celebrating the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. His Majesty will be 84 years old on December 23rd this year. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, as the Crown Prince and Princess, visited Dhaka in February 1975; soon after the independence of this country, which gave a solid foundation for our countries’ “Bondhutto”, friendship. Yesterday, His Majesty’s retirement in April 2019 is publicly announced in Japan. I would hereby express the deepest respect for their Majesties’ untiring efforts for many years.
Long lives and Health for Their Majesties!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, it is rainy, very rare in this dry season, but please look at the stage. We display two flags on both sides of the stage:―one is Bangladesher potaka shobujer moddhe lal(Bangladesh national flag red on green), the other is Japaner potaka shadar moddhe lal(Japanese national flag red on white). Both flags stand for the Rising Sun!
In my view, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is now actually taking off, entering into a climbing period of her economic development, just as the Sun rises.
The following words are sometimes quoted as words of Rabindranath Tagore, a great Banglar poet, though not identified enough as his own.
“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”
I quoted these words because I feel they are just applicable to contemporary Bangladesh. This country has her own potential for growth as if stars lie hidden inside her and her dream precedes future prosperity of her economy.
Geographically located at the very center of the triangle formed by world’s three prominent growing markets―India, ASEAN, and China, Bangladesh is a country of tremendous strategic potential for development with its young and vibrant population. Many Japanese companies are attracted by this potential of Bangladesh, realizing a big change of the country, imaging Bangladesh 10 years later.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
One very friendly Bangladeshi gentleman once said to me; “Japan is our original friend.” I also love these words. Yes, we are! Both countries and people have consistently nurtured warm friendship since the independence of Bangladesh. We are true friends, and even friends in need.
Facing the national crisis of influx of Rohingyas since this summer, the Government of Bangladesh adopted a series of humanitarian policies to accommodate these people. We deeply appreciate this political decision and heartily welcome recent development of the bilateral agreement on their dignified return. Japanese people’s sympathy has always been with people of Bangladesh. We will extend our utmost assistance to this country continuously―economically and politically.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On July 20 last year, the Japanese Foreign Ministry announced the Foreign Minister’s Commendation upon Professor Mahmudul Haque, former dean of the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka, for his contribution in enriching our friendship through art of paintings for more than 30 years, and this morning I have handed him over the award certificate and gift from Foreign Minister.
Professor Haque, Japan-Bangladesh bondhutte obodan rakhar jonno dhonnobad, ebong apnake antorik ovinondon janai.My sincere congratulation to you!
Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to my honorable guests here for sparing your precious weekend holiday and gracing this occasion with your presence. I wish you every happiness and prosperity, and please enjoy nice afternoon over our national food and drinks.
Thank you very much, shobaike onek dhonnobad.
Distinguished Guests,
Diplomatic Colleagues, and Our Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamualaikum!
Good afternoon and Konnichiwa.
Sincere welcome to all of you to our reception celebrating the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. His Majesty will be 84 years old on December 23rd this year. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, as the Crown Prince and Princess, visited Dhaka in February 1975; soon after the independence of this country, which gave a solid foundation for our countries’ “Bondhutto”, friendship. Yesterday, His Majesty’s retirement in April 2019 is publicly announced in Japan. I would hereby express the deepest respect for their Majesties’ untiring efforts for many years.
Long lives and Health for Their Majesties!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, it is rainy, very rare in this dry season, but please look at the stage. We display two flags on both sides of the stage:―one is Bangladesher potaka shobujer moddhe lal(Bangladesh national flag red on green), the other is Japaner potaka shadar moddhe lal(Japanese national flag red on white). Both flags stand for the Rising Sun!
In my view, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is now actually taking off, entering into a climbing period of her economic development, just as the Sun rises.
The following words are sometimes quoted as words of Rabindranath Tagore, a great Banglar poet, though not identified enough as his own.
“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”
I quoted these words because I feel they are just applicable to contemporary Bangladesh. This country has her own potential for growth as if stars lie hidden inside her and her dream precedes future prosperity of her economy.
Geographically located at the very center of the triangle formed by world’s three prominent growing markets―India, ASEAN, and China, Bangladesh is a country of tremendous strategic potential for development with its young and vibrant population. Many Japanese companies are attracted by this potential of Bangladesh, realizing a big change of the country, imaging Bangladesh 10 years later.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
One very friendly Bangladeshi gentleman once said to me; “Japan is our original friend.” I also love these words. Yes, we are! Both countries and people have consistently nurtured warm friendship since the independence of Bangladesh. We are true friends, and even friends in need.
Facing the national crisis of influx of Rohingyas since this summer, the Government of Bangladesh adopted a series of humanitarian policies to accommodate these people. We deeply appreciate this political decision and heartily welcome recent development of the bilateral agreement on their dignified return. Japanese people’s sympathy has always been with people of Bangladesh. We will extend our utmost assistance to this country continuously―economically and politically.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On July 20 last year, the Japanese Foreign Ministry announced the Foreign Minister’s Commendation upon Professor Mahmudul Haque, former dean of the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka, for his contribution in enriching our friendship through art of paintings for more than 30 years, and this morning I have handed him over the award certificate and gift from Foreign Minister.
Professor Haque, Japan-Bangladesh bondhutte obodan rakhar jonno dhonnobad, ebong apnake antorik ovinondon janai.My sincere congratulation to you!
Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to my honorable guests here for sparing your precious weekend holiday and gracing this occasion with your presence. I wish you every happiness and prosperity, and please enjoy nice afternoon over our national food and drinks.
Thank you very much, shobaike onek dhonnobad.