(From left) Novelist Moinul Ahsan Saber, writer Probir Bikash Sarker, former chief adviser Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Prof Anisuzzaman and Japanese Ambassador Masayuki Inoue hold copies of a book titled 'Jana Ajana Japan' (Known and Unknown Japan) at its publication ceremony at Sufia Kamal auditorium of the National Museum in the city yesterday. Japan Centre organised the event. Photo: STAR

Former chief adviser Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman at a publication ceremony of a book yesterday said Bangladesh should take lessons from Japan's policies regarding agriculture to achieve food security in the country.

Speaking as the chief guest he said, “We can take lessons from Japan's extra care on agriculture for securing self-sufficiency in food to achieve food security in our country.”

Japan Centre organised the publication ceremony of the book styled 'Jana Ajana Japan' (Japan, Known and Unknown) by Bangladesh expatriate Probir Bikash Sarker at Sufia Kamal auditorium of the National Museum with Prof Anisuzzaman in the chair.

Habibur Rahman said, “We had always listened to the foreign consultants and accordingly focused on production of manufactured goods rather than on agriculture. They advised us that we could buy rice from market. But now we see how hard it is to buy rice from the market.”

Lauding the role of Japan for its assistance to Bangladesh's development, he called on both the countries to strengthen the bond of relations between them.

Justice Habibur Rahman said, “Probir Bikash has done a commendable job by writing the book which will let us know about Japan. Every Bangladeshi expatriate should write about the country in which they are living so that the countrymen can learn many things about that particular country.”

Speaking as the special guest, Japanese Ambassador Masayuki Inoue said, “Since the independence of Bangladesh, Japan has been assisting the country in many sectors including infrastructure and education.”

“The relations between the two countries are very striking and the base of the relations would be strengthened by exchange of cultures”, the ambassador said, adding “Under the cultural agreement between the two countries, a number of students are going to Japan for study and it makes a bridge between the two cultures.”

He said, “Both the countries are undergoing changes like Bangladesh is seeing changes in mobile phone sector and it can be a medium of change in the two countries.”

Poet Nirmolendu Goon said Japan has always helped us. A big example of the country's assistance is the Bangabandhu Bridge over the Jamuna.

Eminent novelist Moinul Ahsan Saber said the book provides guidelines to help strengthen ties between the two countries.

Former director general of Bangladesh Shishu Academy and National Museum Prof Shamsuzzaman Khan, former vice president of FBCCI Dewan S Ahmed and the author of the book Probir Bikash Sarker also spoke at the programme.