The Embassy of Japan organised the Reception to Cerebrate the Birthday of His Majesty, The Emperor of Japan. Ambassador Hiroyasu Izumi and H.E. Mr. A H M Mustafa Kamal, Hon’ble Minister for Planning delivered speeches. Mrs. Farida Parveen sang Bangladeshi national anthem accompanied by the harmonium and bashi, while Ms. Mae Watanabe, a Japanese actress sang Japanese national anthem.
While addressing at program Japan Ambassador said , His Majesty will turn 85 years old on December 23rd. I have a very special feeling for today, and it is my great pleasure and honor to host this reception, because His Majesty is going to abdicate next April after 30 years since His Majesty’s accession to the Throne. And the enthronement of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince will take place in May next year.
Therefore, I would hereby express my deepest respect for their Majesties’ untiring efforts for many years.
He added that , Nearly 44 years ago, in February 1975, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, as the Crown Prince and Princess then, stayed here in Dhaka on their return trip from Nepal.
Bangladesh was still a new born, fledgling nation, so was JapanBangladesh diplomatic relationship, just entered the third year of its establishment. The imperial visit successfully planted the seed of friendship between our two nations, that is, formed the solid bedrock of today’s excellent friendship. By the grace of Their Majesties, our relationship has grown from strength to strength.
He said ,Japan’s national flower, Sakura, cherry blossom, blooms beautifully in spring after surviving the severe winter. Japan has developed her economic growth, rising from the burned ground and ashes after the World War Ⅱ. Bangladesh’s national flower, Shapla, lotus flower, blooms beautifully after coming out of muddy water. Bangladesh has also developed rapidly and now taking off her economy overcoming every difficulties since her independence.
Endowed with geographical advantage, huge population, and its constantly growing economy for more than a few decades, Bangladesh is now focused as a country of tremendous potential for development and attracting more and more foreign companies for investment. Sakura and shapla not only sound similar but also both stand for the pure and beautiful heart after enduring the hardships . The seed of friendship we inherited from Their Majesties has germinated, grown up and now is likely to bloom beautifully.
Japan Ambassador added that ,This year, we had lots of mutual visits of ministerial level. H.E. Mr. Kono, Hon’ble Foreign Minister made his second visit to Bangladesh following the last year, while H.E. Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Hon’ble Foreign Minister and H.E. Mr. Tofail Ahmed, Hon’ble Commerce Minister visited Japan. Then, next year we will have more and more. We will nurture our flower of friendship and will enhance bilateral relations towards 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022 including even higher level exchange.