Celebration begins today

Japan and Bangladesh have chalked out three-month-long celebrations, beginning today, to mark the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, said official sources.
Bangladesh Institute of International Strategic Studies (BIISS) with support from Japan Foundation will begin a two-day international conference today styled “Prospects for peace and security through regional cooperation in 21st century South Asia: The role of Japan”.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan and Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Shiro Sadoshima will attend the inaugural session as the chief guest and special guest respectively while BISS Director General Major Gen Muhammad Imrul Quayes will chair the session.
Related papers will be presented during the two sessions today while several scholars from South Asian countries tomorrow will take part in different working sessions on Japan's relations with Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Meanwhile, Jahangirnagar University will organise an international conference styled "Towards oriental theatre studies" from January 7-9.
A joint press conference marking the anniversary by Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and the Japanese ambassador will be held on February 9 in Dhaka.
From February 15-17, a delegation of Spare Industry mission in Japan will visit Bangladesh to launch a satellite here that will help the country to forecast weather and prepare maps of landscape, river situation and the overall geography of Bangladesh.
There will be a speech contest on Japanese and Bangla languages on February 17 while a group of scientist from Japan will visit Bangladesh during February 24-25 for a joint science symposium.
On February 28-29, a business delegation comprising of leading Japanese companies and investors will visit Bangladesh with the aim to explore investment opportunities here.
On March 3, a reception will be organised to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the great east Japan earthquake and the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan.