The brotherly
relations between the two countries will not be
diminished despite the killing of Kunio by some fringe elements
Japan-Bangladesh relations
Masud Karim
In Japanese language tiger is referred as `Tora` and the addition of Ban from the word Bangladesh makes the word `Bantora`. When we add the Japanese term Kun (Brother) the whole thing becomes Bantora Kun. The newly created word means `Bangladeshi Tiger Brothers`.
The reason behind the explanation of the word is that the symbol of this would hopefully make the relationship stronger between Bangladesh and Japan, resulting in Japanese businessmen investing more in Bangladesh.
Recently, at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka `the Bantora Kun` mascot came in front of the media. Japanese commerce and industries association (JCID) organised the event.
`Bantora Kun` will have three goals to fulfill. The very first one is to promote Bangladeshi products in Japan through cards, stickers, posters and badges. `Bantora Kun` mascot will be present to promote Bangladeshi products at different shopping malls and shops in Japan. This in turn will help the people of Japan to realise that Bangladesh is synonymous to emerging tiger. And third is `Bantora Kun` will always be present whenever there is an important business deal between Bangladesh and Japan.
When introduced in front of the media `Bantora Kun` was wearing a yellow stripe dress. When asked about his whereabouts `Bantora Kun` replied that he was born in the Sundarbans but now he resides in Dhaka and his favourite one liner is `NO PROBLEM`.
On the occasion it was said that people of Japan do not have much idea about how Bangladesh have improved in different sectors. With proper branding `Bantora Kun` will be able to let people of Japan know about the developments made by Bangladesh.
Recently a delegation of Asian Peoples Friendship Society and Tokyo Rikooyo University visited Bangladesh.
In 1987, along with Youshinary Katshu, I have formed the organization in Tokyo.
The main objectives of the organsiation is to provide assistance to the Asian expatriates living in Japan.The delegation stayed in Bangladesh from September 7 to 10 this year. They held a press conference onGlobal Migration and Transnational Networks at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on September 8.
Professor Dr Mizukami Tetsuo, Dr Kinoshita Yasuhito, Professor Noro Yoshiaki and Nakayama Yuka, lecturer of Waseda University spoke on the occasion.
Many Bangladeshi immigrants who had to leave Japan in the 1980s for want of legal documents are being put in the list to be sent to the Japanese government so that the returnees might get help from that county in future, they told the briefing.
They also disclosed that Asian Peoples Friendship Society (APFS) is preparing the list of the Bangladeshi people who had experienced living in Japan for various periods, after conducting intensive interviews with them.
Mizukami Tetsuo, ex-dean of the College of Sociology, Ryukyus University also informed that migration from Bangladesh to Japan had significantly developed the character of personal relationships between the two countries.
We have gathered data after conducting interviews with the returnees, who were forced to leave the country.
There has been a significant inflow of Bangladeshis into Japan since the late 1980s. Some of the Bangladeshis have been active members of the APFS, said the organisers. According to the Japanese immigration laws, living in that country was very much tough from 1987 to 1990 for the emigrants having no legal documents. In some cases, even human rights were violated. APFS managed to bring some changes in the laws, which simplified the immigrants living there.
Many of them have already returned Bangladesh after staying in Japan. Of these people, some have been forced to return only because of legal complications. We will collect information through intensive interview of those people who stayed in Japan in different times.
The relation between Japan and Bangladesh was not created overnight. This relation is based on attachment of the souls and mutual respect. I dont know what emotional impulsion drove a Hoshi Kunio to leave a prosperous country Japan to live in the remotest northern regions of Bangladesh. But like Shintaro Ijima, Kunio also had a heart full of generous love and respect for Bangladesh.
The number of such open-hearted persons is dying out everyday. He could have selected another country for agriculture. But he did not do so rather he came to Bangladesh. He might have an unuttered love and respect for the land and people of the country. But a vested quarter of this nation gave him a reward by killing him. The good relations between Japan and Bangladesh cannot be ruined. Hoshi Kunio might have left his own motherland for the love of Bangladesh and attraction of hospitality of the simple people of this riverine country. The brotherly relations between the two countries will not be vanished despite the killing of Kunio by some bullets. I believe Hoshi Kunio will also forgive us because we did not know that some bullets were lurking behind the mountain like love. Hoshi Kunio, please pardon us.
The author is founding member of Asian Peoples Friendship Society
