Bangladesh–Japan relations (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ-জাপান সম্পর্ক, Japanese: 日本とバングラデシュの関係) were established on 10 February 1972. By 2015, the bilateral annual trade was US$2.3 billion.
The role of Japan in the development of the economy and infrastructure of Bangladesh is much more than other countries and organizations in the world. In addition to the development of Bangladesh in the future, Japan's contribution will be the highest in other fields. There is a very deep relationship between these two countries, which is trustworthy and reliable.[1] [2]
Bangladesh and Japan have historically been strong bonded nations. The relationship between Bengali and Japanese people is centuries old.
In a BBC World Poll, 71% of Bangladesh had a favorable view of Japan, making Bangladesh one of the most pro-Japanese countries in the world.[3]
The relation between Bangladesh and Japan which was in trouble during the British period and Partition of Bengal 1947 got regular in mid-1950 when the Consular Mission of Japan (CMJ) in Dhaka started to make contact with people-to-people.[4]
The Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth BeltBig B is a dream of the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe which is a long-term plan to strengthen the existing partnership between Bangladesh and Japan.This plan came to the mind of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe around Matarbari. During Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Dhaka in 2014 initial talks with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh and Japan agreed to implement this plan.[5]
On 11 February 1972, Bangladesh opened an embassy in Tokyo, and Japan opened an embassy in Bangladesh.[6] The Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh is located at 5 & 7, Dutabash Road, Baridhara, Dhaka,[7] where it has been located since the early 1990s.
Japan is Bangladesh's 7th-largest export market ;[8] imports from Bangladesh make up 0.17% of all Japanese imports.[9] Common imports from Bangladesh to Japan include textiles, leather goods, and shrimp. By 2004, Japan had become Bangladesh's fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment, behind the United States, United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Japan is also a significant source of development aid to Bangladesh.
Japan's political goals in its relationship with Bangladesh include gaining support for their bid to join the United Nations Security Council, and securing markets for their finished goods.
In 2022, there were about 24,940 Bangladeshis in Japan. Japan recognized the People's Republic of Bangladesh on 10 February 1972, soon after its independence. Both parties celebrated thirty years of relations in 2002. Starting from 1 September 2023, there are direct flights from Dhaka to Tokyo-Narita Airport operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines 3 times a week.
The relationship between Bangladesh and Japan is so deep and trusting, Bangladesh's two major and sensitive projects International Air and the international waterway were Constructed through Japan. Bangladesh's first deep sea port construction "Matarbari" by Japan and Dhaka International Airport modernisation and construction of the third terminal will be implemented with the advice and financial support of Japan.Japan has big plans on which infrastructure is needed first and which is beneficial in the context of Bangladesh.This relationship of loyalty between Bangladesh and Japan is currently expanding in the military field. Japan and Bangladesh have their own plans for the security of the Asia-Pacific region and its future.
On 12 July 2005, a replica of the Shaheed Minar was installed in Ikebukuro West Exit Park as the first permanent Shaheed Minar outside Bangladesh. It was initiated and inaugurated under the leadership of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.[10]
Moreover, after the war in Ukraine and Russia. Currently, Japan has under a huge change in its military policy after the war in Ukraine and Russia. They offered Bangladesh to sell its manufactured weapons and other military equipment [11] [12]