Fifty Years of Bangladesh-Japan Relations: Japan’s Contribution to the Freedom Struggle of Bangladesh

The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan. Japan was one of the first countries to recognize Bangladesh officially, on 10 th February 1972, fewer than two months after the latter gained independence. This article investigates the great assistance that Japan extended to Bangladesh at this crucial juncture in its history, while also exploring several new insights into Japan’s contribution to the freedom struggle in 1971. The widespread support and cooperation of the Japanese people towards Bangladesh during its resistance against the Pakistan military were spontaneous and overwhelming. Many Japanese organizations, like the 'Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Association' (JBFA), the 'Bangladesh Solidarity Front' (BSF), and the Japan Red Cross Society (JRCS), made an immense contribution to Bangladesh's War of Liberation. Notable Japanese politicians and professionals, like Takashi Hayakawa (MP), Professor Tsuyoshi Nara, and Professor Setsurei Tsurushima, coordinated and strengthened their collective efforts to support Bangladesh. The Japanese press and media, like the Japan Times, Daily Yomiuri, and Asahi Shimbun, also played a very positive role in mobilizing public opinion in favor of the independence of Bangladesh. The Japanese government was sympathetic towards the defecting Bengali diplomats who left the Pakistani side and were in Japan under special permission from the Japanese government. Even the Japanese United Nations (UN) Mission came forward to sponsor or co-sponsor several resolutions supporting the means of Bangladesh. We earnestly hope that fifty years of bilateral relations will elevate into "heart- to-heart" relations, from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership.