Countries & Regions
Japan-Bangladesh Summit Meeting



On the evening of May 26, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, who was on her official visit to Japan, subsequently held a joint press conference, and hosted a banquet (Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, also attended the summit meeting). An overview of the summit meeting and the banquet is as follows:
1. At the beginning of the summit meeting, Prime Minister Abe extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Hasina on her visit to Japan and stated that the two countries had been bound by strong friendship since the independence of Bangladesh. He mentioned that the Abe administration had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Hasina to visit Japan in order to further strengthen the traditionally friendly relationship. Prime Minister Abe also stated that he would like to establish a comprehensive partnership between the two countries on the occasion of this summit meeting. In addition, Prime Minister Abe expressed his expectation for the promotion of democracy in Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Hasina.
2. In response, Prime Minister Hasina expressed her gratitude for the invitation and stated that she was very pleased to visit Japan, a long-time friend of Bangladesh, and also expressed her deep appreciation for the past assistance that Japan had provided for the development of Bangladesh.
3. In terms of bilateral relations, the two leaders shared their views on the establishment of the “Japan-Bangladesh Comprehensive Partnership” to dramatically develop bilateral relations.
(1) Concerning the economic development of Bangladesh and its region in particular, Prime Minister Abe proposed the “Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B)” and announced his intention to provide up to JPY 600 billion of economic cooperation in four to five years. In response to this, Prime Minister Hasina expressed her gratitude for Japan’s initiatives and stated that the Government of Bangladesh had projects it wanted to implement, and that it would cooperate with Japan in the future as well.
(2)In terms of the fields of politics and security, the two leaders shared their views on launching foreign-secretary level consultations for the enhancement of policy dialogues. They also decided to establish experts’ dialogues concerning the safe and peaceful utilization of nuclear power. The two leaders also shared their views on further strengthening cooperation in the fields of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) and peace building.
(3)Concerning the private economic sector, Prime Minister Hasina stated that she would like to attract more direct investment from Japan, and for that purpose she would prepare a special economic zone for Japanese enterprises. Prime Minister Abe requested the development of investment environment for the strengthening of the private economic relationship. The two leaders shared their views on establishing “Joint Japan-Bangladesh Public-Private Economic Dialogue” for the further development of the private economic relationships.
(4) In addition, the two leaders decided to further enhance exchanges at the citizens’ level in various fields in the future.
4. Furthermore, the two leaders exchanged views on the current international environment including in East Asia. Prime Minister Abe stated the importance of ensuring regional stability based on international law. Prime Minister Hasina endorsed and appreciated Japan’s efforts and the policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” to contribute to the peace and stability of the region and the international community.
5. Prime Minister Hasina requested Prime Minister Abe to visit Bangladesh at an early date and Prime Minister Abe expressed his appreciation for the invitation and stated that he would like to visit Bangladesh as early as possible when the time is convenient for both sides to further advance the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.
6. Mr. Taro Aso, Minister of Finance (President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League), Mr. Takeo Kawamura, a member of the House of Representatives (Acting President of the Parliamentary League), and many from private enterprises who have ties with Bangladesh attended the banquet hosted by Prime Minister Abe after the summit meeting. The participants had conversations about exchanges between the two countries and the enhancement of the bilateral relationship in a friendly atmosphere.