Dhaka University Department of Japanese Studies and the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka jointly organized a mourning meeting in memory of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhavan. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, MP was present as the chief guest in the condolence meeting held under the chairmanship of Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mo Akhtaruzzaman. Ambassador of Japan Ito Naoki special guest and Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Dr Zia Rahman spoke as the guest of honor.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen thanked the Department of Japanese Studies of Dhaka University and the Embassy of Japan for organizing this funeral and said that the former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe was a true friend of Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh are shocked because this leader, who is loved by Japan and the world, was killed by an assailant. The relationship between the two countries has reached a new height through his multiple meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and mutual state visits.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mo Akhtaruzzaman paid deep respect to the memory of Shinzo Abe and said that he was not only a popular leader of Japan but also a dependent figure to the world community. In 1973, the friendly relations between the two countries were raised to the highest level by the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan.
In continuation of this, the friendly relations existing between the two countries have been strengthened through the visit of Bangabandhu's privileged daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan and Shinzo Abe's visit to Bangladesh. The Vice-Chancellor mentioned that the University and its students are benefiting from the ongoing activities in Dhaka University in cooperation with Japan.
Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have added a new dimension to the friendly relations between the two countries. He thanked the Dhaka University authorities for organizing this funeral to pay tribute to Shinzo Abe.
Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Chairman of the Japanese Studies Department, among others, spoke on the occasion.