DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Japan’s support during the liberation war gave the people of Bangladesh strength and inspiration.

The primer came up with the assertion while addressing a meeting at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo Japan on Sunday afternoon.

She said that the precious contribution of Japan inspired and encouraged our heroic liberation war in 1971.

Meanwhile, the prime minister recalled the tireless efforts of Japanese to create public opinion in favour of Bangladesh.

The prime minister recalled the support and tireless efforts of Japanese people in mobilising public opinion in Japan in favour of Bangladesh.

The public opinion persuaded Japan government to be among the first countries to accord recognition to Bangladesh as an independent country, she opined.

Some 18 friends of Bangladesh and former Japan ambassadors to Bangladesh were joined in the programme. 

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Ambassador-At-Large M Ziauddin, PM's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, PM's Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque, ERD Secretary Md Mejbahuddin, PM's Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil, Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Masud Bin Momen and FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmad were present.

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Japan on Saturday midnight a four-day official visit for talks with her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe to strengthen economic cooperation. 

BDST: 1247 HRS, MAY 26, 2014