Abe\\\'s visit takes Tokyo-Dhaka relations to new heights

It was significant that within three months, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Bangladesh following his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina's visit to Tokyo at the end of May this year. Notably, Abe was the first Japanese PM in 14 years to have visited Bangladesh. This can be termed as a milestone in Bangladesh-Japan relations.
Bangladesh always attaches a great significance with its relations with Japan. For instance, withdrawal of Bangladesh candidature for a non-permanent member seat in the UN Security Council shows the reciprocity and importance that Bangladesh attaches to its ties Japan. And it is well known that Japan is a time-tested friend of Bangladesh.
Abe's visit also shows the importance Japan attaches to its bilateral relations with Bangladesh. Japanese contribution to the economy of Bangladesh is well-known. In the last 40 years, Japanese economic assistance to Bangladesh stood at US$ 12 billion. It will not be wrong to claim that there is a qualitative shift in Bangladesh-Japan relations from aid dependence to inter-dependence.
To foster Bangladesh-Japan relations, the issue that comes to the forefront is the promotion of Bangladesh-Japan comprehensive partnership. During the visit of the Bangladesh PM, the two prime ministers launched the Japan-Bangladesh comprehensive partnership which needs to be promoted at the earliest for mutual benefit of both the countries. The partnership covers: 1) cooperation toward attaining global peace and stability; II) economic cooperation leading towards promotion of mutual interest and regional prosperity; and III) promotion of cultural and people-to-people exchanges. These need to be implemented.
The second issue is the acceleration of Japanese investments in Bangladesh.  Due to weak infrastructure, Bangladesh cannot attract foreign investments. So, first of all, it is of utmost importance to invest in infrastructural projects in Bangladesh. In this context, during Abe's visit, Japanese project proposal e.g. expansion of road and rail communication in the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway, construction of a port in Matarbari for 1,200 MW coal-based electricity production is quite appreciable. These will improve infrastructural capacity of Bangladesh.
Thirdly, there is a need for promoting trade relations and industrial diversification. Reportedly, Japan imports US$5 billion ready-made garments on an annual basis and among this, 80 per cent is imported from China. Import from Bangladesh is very negligible although Bangladesh is the third largest ready-made garment exporter. For instance, in the year of 2013-2014, Japan imported from Bangladesh only US$570 million which was US$470 million in 2012-13. It is quite positive that in the last five years, Bangladeshi ready-made garments export to Japan has increased ten times but this needs to be accelerated further.
With regard to promoting trade relations, another point that needs to be taken into account is industrial diversification. In this regard, Matsushiro Horiguchi, a former Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh pointed out that 'industrial diversification is one of the top priorities that Bangladesh needs to work out for achieving the goals of 'Vision 2021', which is to become a mid-income country by that year. In this context, foreign investment needs to play an important role to diversify the economy of Bangladesh.
Fourthly, what's about Bangladeshi manpower export in Japan? On one hand, because of declining population and aging of the Japanese society, Japan faces acute shortage of human resources. On the other, tens of thousands of Bangladeshi workers are working overseas and contributing to development of the economies of those countries as well as the economy of Bangladesh. Horiguchi noted that 'an increasing number of foreign workers are now being employed by many Japanese companies for the necessity of adapting to the process of globalisation.'
The efficiency of Bangladeshi expatriates is well tested. It will bring win-win situation creating scope for Bangladeshi skilled workers in Japanese market. This can also lead to human development in Bangladesh, which is one of the prime aims of Japanese foreign aid in developing countries including Bangladesh. Hence, instead of focusing foreign aid, Japan needs to help Bangladesh providing scope for employment of the country's workers.
Fifthly, to elevate the Bangladesh-Japan bilateral relations, there is no alternative to promote ties at the grassroots level. And for the benefits of both the parties, the Bangladesh-Japan relations need to be diversified through mutual initiatives. In this context, it is quite appreciable that a new non-governmental body called the Japan-Bangladesh Society, led by the former Japanese ambassador in Bangladesh, with the participation of people from various civic groups has been formed recently in Japan with the aim of fostering a better understanding between Japan and Bangladesh.
Sixthly, even though Japan has been the largest bilateral donor for Bangladesh for many years, there is a dearth of scholarships on Bangladesh-Japan relations. Needless to say, better theories are often translated into better policies. In response to various challenges over various sectors, and for informed policies, scholarship plays a vital role which needs to be taken into account.
Finally, Bangladesh should avail the opportunities created by Abe's visit and the growing importance of the Bay of Bengal region in this 21st century. To carry forward the relations, Bangladesh should also do enough home works. The bottom-line is that the policy-makers in Bangladesh and Japan should consider ways seriously to elevate Bangladesh-Japan relations for mutual benefit based on mutual respect and reciprocity.

The writer is Director, East Asia Study Center (EASC), University of Dhaka.
 [email protected]