PM invites Japanese Emperor, Empress to visit Bangladesh

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina has invited Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko for visiting Bangladesh to see for themselves the development achieved by the country since the Emperor's last visit to the country in 1975, reports UNB.
Hasina, now on a four-day visit to Japan, offered the invitation Monday at a meeting with Japanese Emperor Akihito during her visit to the Imperial Palace in the afternoon.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Masud Bin Momen was present on the occasion.
The Emperor welcomed the PM at the Imperial Palace.
After the exchange of pleasantries, the PM recalled the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in 1973 and the Emperor and the Empress' visit to Bangladesh in 1975 when the Emperor was the crown prince.
Hasina also recalled her previous visits to Japan when she had audience with Emperor Akihito.
When the Emperor enquired about the progress made by Bangladesh, the PM highlighted the country's various achievements, especially in socioeconomic areas and in the fields of poverty alleviation.
Emperor Akihito showed keen interest in the strategies adopted by the government of Sheikh Hasina to deal with poverty.
The PM elaborated on the various strategies adopted in Bangladesh to improve the agricultural sector for self-sufficiency in food and the role of mechanisation.
She also mentioned her initiatives to provide land to the landless farmers, low-interest loans to the landless and help them with free healthcare facilities and creating various opportunities for education for empowerment of the poor.
Hasina said the poverty level has come down to 26 per cent in Bangladesh because of these measures. She also highlighted the importance of creating job opportunities through rapid industrialisation.
Recalling the role of Japanese assistance since Bangladesh's independence, Hasina underscored the need for more Japanese investment.