“Wa (harmony and consensus) among people is cherished.” This is the first article of Japan's first constitution, created in 604 AD. It emphasizes the importance of people living in harmony and cooperation with one another in all matters, embodying mutual respect and discussion until a consensus is reached.
This teaching, which remains relevant today, also serves as wisdom for reaching agreements between people with differing interests.
Bangladesh will hold a historic general election on February 12, while Japan held a general election for the House of Representatives on February 8. Both elections are opportunities to ensure political transparency and determine the country's course, but a nation exists only because of its people.
This is why we must not simply view international agreements as “diplomatic achievements.” Rather, we must use the democratic milestone of elections to reexamine how this agreement will benefit the lives and industries of those who use it.
Regarding the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between Bangladesh and Japan, I would like to emphasize the importance of not reducing the debate to a mere for or against.
The EPA is about more than tariffs. It is a comprehensive framework that encompasses investment, services, intellectual property, labour, and the environment, and even supply chains. The key to success lies not in the numerical tax rates, but in implementation.
Will customs procedures be faster?
Will regulations be transparent and predictable?
Will intellectual property be protected?
Will investment be attracted and the risks of withdrawal and conflict be reduced?
Will labour and environmental standards not end with an external declaration but lead to improvements on the ground?
An agreement is not complete the moment it is signed. It is only completed through the efforts of both the government and the private sector, and in daily life and trade.
So, what phase will the two countries enter from here, how will they move forward, and what kind of future can they create?
I believe the focus can be narrowed to three points.
First, industrial advancement
It is important for readymade garments (RMG), Bangladesh's main export, to be more competitive in the Japanese market. And we need to increase added value, including in peripheral areas such as materials, quality control, and logistics, to enhance the value that remains domestically.
The strength of Japanese companies lies not simply in capital investment, but in industry-strengthening operations such as process design, standardization, on-site management techniques, and quality assurance.
If the EPA can institutionally support such cooperation, it will become a tool for strengthening industrial infrastructure, rather than simply a measure to expand exports.
Second, the transfer of human resources and technology
Investment is not just about the movement of capital; it must also involve the transfer of on-site skills, management, and technology. Without this, factories and services will not last.
Bangladesh has a young population and a growing market. Japan has on-site improvement methods and a long-term system for developing human resources.
The most reliable investment for the future lies not in simply using beautiful terms like training or exchanges, but in building on these through vocational training, skills certification, managerial development, and collaboration with universities and specialized institutions.
Since the EPA includes the opening of the service sector, the topic of human resources is unavoidable in areas such as ICT, logistics, healthcare, and renewable energy.
Developing people fosters industry, which in turn leads to increased tax revenue and employment, leading to social stability.
Third, the reliability of the supply chain
The world is shifting its focus from low-cost supply chains to stable ones. Lead time, quality, reliable procedures, and consistent rules are key to the competitiveness of exporting countries and the security of importing countries.
Diversifying investment and procurement sources is a real challenge for Japan, and improving reliability is key to market expansion for Bangladesh.
What's needed here is a design that builds trust. Digitalization of customs, streamlining of inspections, predictability in customs clearance, unification of regulations, and effective enforcement of intellectual property rights. These are the kinds of low key areas that are at the heart of international competitiveness.
What's needed here is to clarify interests, resolve friction points through systems, and put agreements into practice. This is what it means to reinterpret “wa” (harmony and consensus) in a modern way.
How should elections and EPAs be linked?
Elections are not just a competition to see who wins, but also an opportunity for the public to express their priorities. Therefore, what we should ask of the next administration is not flashy declarations but the first step in implementation.
Will the first few months see progress in customs, investment procedures, regulatory transparency, and intellectual property enforcement? This will determine whether the agreement will bring about change in people's lives and industries.
Ultimately, agreements between nations are not just the responsibility of governments. They only have meaning when they involve businesses, workers, educational institutions, government contact points, ports in the case of imports and exports, and the choices of voters.
A country exists because of its people. The new government entrusted with the EPA after the election will not simply view the EPA as an achievement, but will it work together to build the future of both countries based on the three pillars of industrial advancement, human resource development, and reliable supply chains?
The question now facing Bangladesh and Japan is whether they can foster a mutually sustainable prosperity based on the will of their people.
Izumi Osaragi is an IFJ-accredited Japanese photojournalist and visual artist whose award-winning works merge poetic composition with documentary insight to explore the boundaries between society and culture.