Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday commenced his tour by holding a meeting with the president of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League, Taro Aso.
Taro paid a courtesy call on Yunus at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo at 5pm (local time).
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, briefed reporters about the outcomes of the meeting.
During the meeting, Yunus informed Taro about the progress of the reform initiatives taken by the Bangladesh interim government.
Taro, also a former prime minister of Japan, told the chief adviser that he was informed about Bangladesh’s recent changeover, adding that Japan wants to deepen relations with Bangladesh.
Shafiqul said discussions are underway to establish an economic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan, and during the meeting, Taro stressed the importance of building the partnership as soon as possible.
The chief adviser said the interim government has conducted three major initiatives in the economic sector – it revived the banking sector, brought stability to foreign exchange reserves, and repaid outstanding foreign loans.
Taro said Bangladesh-Japan relations will reach a new height once the Bangladesh-Japan economic partnership is established.
Regarding the next elections in Bangladesh, Yunus informed the Japanese leader that the polls will be held between December and June next year.
The chief adviser said he will not remain in office for a single day after June 30, adding that he has announced a cut-off time for the polls.
Referring to the long-pending Rohingya crisis, Yunus said an angry young Rohingya generation is being created and “we have to give them hope.”
He sought Japan’s support for the dignified return of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their home of origin in Rakhine.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Lutfey Siddiqi, and Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed were present at the meeting, among others.
Yunus arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday afternoon on a four-day official visit to Japan to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum and hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to boost bilateral cooperation.