Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Muhammad Yunus has called on Japan to further strengthen cooperation in areas such as investment in Bangladesh, the fisheries sector, humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas, and youth development, including education and sports. He also called for increasing scholarships and employment for Bangladeshi youth in the country.
The CA said, “Japan has always been our faithful friend. Bangladesh will always remember Japan’s friendship and contributions.”

He made the call during a meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Executive Senior Vice President, Miyazaki Katsura, at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.

During the meeting, Dr Yunus said, “Japan has always been a loyal friend of Bangladesh. I recently visited your country. I am deeply impressed by the sincerity and hospitality that my delegation and I received.”

Miyazaki said Bangladesh is one of Japan’s most important partners in Asia.

She reiterated Japan’s commitment to continued support for Bangladesh’s development progress and expressed deep condolences for those killed and injured in the July (uprising).

At the meeting, the Chief Adviser highlighted the importance of the Matarbari project, calling it the most important region for the country’s future and emphasizing Bangladesh’s maritime potential.

He said, “In a discussion with the JICA president in Japan I said that we want to transform into a sea-based economy.”

Dr Yunus requested to increase employment opportunities as well as educational scholarships in Japan for the youth of Bangladesh.

The chief adviser said, “Many young people want to go to work in Japan. The problem is the language. We have proposed that Japanese teachers come here, or that our people be taught Japanese language and workplace etiquette through distance learning.”

Expressing concern about the situation of Rohingya refugees, he said, “It is a sad situation. Thousands of young people are growing up in refugee camps without any hope. They are getting frustrated.”

In response, Miyazaki said that Bangladesh is preparing to transition from LDC and JICA is supporting reforms in the judiciary, public administration, local government, and health sectors.

She said that JICA has undertaken a Bangladesh-centric project, through which high-quality information technology and human resources will be developed in collaboration with local governments, companies, and universities in both countries.

In the context of youth development, the Chief Adviser highlighted the achievements of Bangladeshi women in sports. He said, “Our girls are winning everywhere. Yesterday they won again and reached the final. We are increasing hostel facilities, but they need help for health and training.”

Miyazaki responded positively to this issue and said that Japan is already sending volunteers to school projects in many countries and will consider supporting women’s sports in Bangladesh.

At the end of the meeting, Dr Yunus thanked Japan for the recently signed $1 billion loan and grant agreement, which will be used for economic reforms, railway construction, and human resource development. He also requested an increase in annual Japanese ODA assistance from 300 billion yen to 450 billion yen to implement more development projects.