Japan sought safety of its citizens in Bangladesh

Japan has asked for a thorough investigation, sharing of related information and strict punishments for the perpetrators of the July 1 terror attack in which seven Japanese were killed and called for ensuring complete safety of Japanese people in Bangladesh.

Japan also hopes for full-fledged cooperation to ensure the safety of Japanese people living in and travelling to Bangladesh and to prevent recurrence.

Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe stated this in a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on July 15 during the 11th summit of Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in Mongolia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan yesterday.

Expressing deep regret for the loss of many lives in the terrorist attack in Dhaka, Abe said the Japanese victims were all involved in development assistance, and the loss of their lives is extremely regrettable.

“It is necessary to secure the safety of assistance-related personnel and other Japanese people in order to minimize the impact on initiatives by Japanese people and investment policies,” he said.

In this context, the Japanese PM told Hasina that “Japan will continue its ODA [Official Development Assistance] for Bangladesh to carry on the spirit of the victims.”

During the 20-minute meeting between Abe and Hasina, the Japanese prime minister apprised his Bangladeshi counterpart that Japan has started a review at the Council on Safety Measures for International Cooperation Projects led by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Fumio Kishida.

“I request the kind cooperation of Prime Minister Hasina in these efforts,” Abe said, according to the Japanese foreign ministry's website.

Earlier, the Japanese premier said terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and Japan strongly condemns this attack. “I extend my condolences again for the Bangladeshi people who lost their lives and would like to express strong solidarity with Bangladesh.”

“I have already instructed law enforcement agencies and military forces directly under my control to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese people and other foreigners,” said Hasina in response to Abe's remarks.

She said Bangladesh is responding not only through law enforcement agencies, but also with the cooperation of the people of Bangladesh as a whole.

Although the perpetrators of the terrorist attack were killed, Hasina said, “Bangladesh is conducting an investigation into the underlying causes, including benefactors, funding, arms supply, and training, and plans to share all of the information it possesses on terrorism with Japan.”

She also assured that Bangladesh will cooperate fully with Japan to combat terrorism and ensure the safety of the Japanese people.

Hasina expressed her respect for Prime Minister Abe's bold decision immediately after this incident for Japan to continue ODA activities.

She said the Japanese victims were working to promote Bangladesh's development and advancement, and Bangladesh is greatly saddened by this loss. “Terrorists remain terrorists regardless of their country or religion.”