Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid deep respect to the Japanese for their vocal support in the Great War of Liberation and hoped that the new generation would carry forward the 'enduring friendship' and 'enviable partnership' between the two countries in the years to come.
She also said, "I am confident that the people of Japan will always stand by us in our time of need, along with the government, as in the past." Our long-standing friendship and enviable partnership over the last 50 years will be carried forward by our new generation in the years to come.
She said this at the 'Friends of Liberation War Honor' ceremony on Thursday (April 27) at the Akasaka Palace Guest House in Tokyo.
"I thank you all for joining us on this great occasion, where we are not only honoring our friends, but also celebrating the bond of friendship with Japan," she said.
The Prime Minister welcomed everyone to the grand function organized to pay tribute to those great people who spoke up and made efforts for the cause of humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
She said, Japanese citizens who were among them are also with us today. It is an auspicious occasion for Bangladesh and its people.
The Prime Minister said that the people of Japan stood by the suffering humanity of Bangladesh. There are 8 recipients of this honor in the list of Bangladesh, who have been honored with 'Friend of Liberation War Honor' on 27 March 2012 and 1 October 2013.
She said, this evening we have come to Tokyo to honor 4 more great friends of Bangladesh, who stood by us. Arranged moral and material support and ensured support. They protested the atrocities and sent humanitarian relief, medical facilities to our helpless people.
It was a time of suffering, which cannot be expressed in words, she said. Then Bangladesh faced atrocities of the occupying forces.
She further said, at that critical moment, our Japanese friends understood our plight and came forward for humanity.
They (the Japanese) faced great challenges, she recalled, but did not back track. Their selfless behavior in the face of threats revived our spirit. Most memorable was the donation of Japanese school children who donated their tiffin savings to help our people.
She said, "Bangladesh recalls with deep gratitude the support of the people of Japan, which reaffirmed that our goals and objectives were right, which could not be trampled upon." she added, "You responded to our demands for justice, respect, dignity and human rights.
She said, "Your loud voice added strength to our voice and made it stronger to the world community." You rallied in support of our cause and formed a human shield against a ruthless barbarian force. In the Land of the Rising Sun, we see a picture of a nation full of dignity and humanity.
Sheikh Hasina said it was an honor for her to visit Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019 to carry forward her father's legacy and strengthen ties.
"I am happy today that during my tenure, our time-tested friendship has evolved in depth and breadth from a 'comprehensive partnership' to a 'strategic partnership'," she said.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh and Japan follow common ideals and principles of equality, democracy and democratic practices, inclusive development, social justice and rule of law.
She further said, we are following the vision of our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who declared the principle of our foreign policy as 'friendship with all, enmity towards none' which is also practiced in Japan.
We recognize Japan's sustained economic cooperation and support in its socio-economic development efforts, she said. She further said, we have achieved the status of being promoted from LDC to developing countries.
The Prime Minister said that the basis of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan is mutual trust, respect, friendship and cooperation. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic visit to Japan in October 1973 laid the foundation of a strong and lasting friendship.
She said, the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who led the liberation war of Bangladesh, 3 million martyrs in the liberation war, 200,000 women who endured inhuman torture, all martyrs on August 15, four national leaders, all brave freedom fighters and all foreign friends of Bangladesh— We have deep respect for all those who contributed to our cause of liberation.
She said, we have dedicated ourselves to make Bangabandhu's dream a true golden Bengal and Bangladesh a land of opportunities. We are confident that Japan will stand by us as in the past.
At that time, Prime Minister's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present on the stage and Lt. Col. (retd.) Kazi Sajjad Ali moderated.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen read the testimonial in honor of the four Japanese. They are—Japan Red Cross Society President Emeritus Tadateru Kono, Professor Gallop Pema, political leader Hideo Takano (posthumous) and photojournalist Taizo Ichinose (posthumous).
Prof. Gallop on behalf of the awardees in the ceremony expressed his sentiments.
The Prime Minister said that she felt very relieved because she and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana were able to honor their Japanese friends for their contribution in the liberation war.
She said, during the liberation war in 1971, they helped the needs of Bangladesh. She also said that it is a great thing that we do not forget our friends.