DHAKA: Whole Dhaka is looking like a gallery. Thoroughfares have been adorned with two types of flags which are almost similar. 

Both have red suns; red sun on the green ground is the symbol of Independent Bangladesh the other flag has red sun to remind us about the land where the sun rises first. The color of peace, white is there.

Here and there are single photos of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and somewhere there are joint photos of both of the leaders. There also are photos highlighting partnerships in development activities.

The waysides from Shahjalal International Airport to Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon have been decorated with these pictures as for the first time in fourteen years any Prime Minister of the Nippon is visiting Bangladesh.

The whole arrangement and decoration reminds that the partnership of both the countries will be stronger by this visit of Japanese premier Shinzō Abe.

The new horizon of this friendship began much earlier. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to Japan in last May brought the pledge of 600 million dollar credit laying the foundation of strong bilateral friendship. No head of the government of Bangladesh was ever able to bring the pledge of such a huge amount from foreign government. 

Bangladesh expects that the two- day visit of Shinzō Abe will increase the development assistance and also the direct investment of Japan in this country.

After long 14 years, any Japanese Prime Minister is visiting this country. Former Premier of Japan Yoshirō Mori visited the country in 2000 for the last time. That also happened when Sheikh Hasina was the Prime Minister of the country. 

Sheikh Hasina, during her last visit to Japan, reiterated that Bangladesh attaches great importance to the friendship between the two countries. She also expressed her gratitude to Japan, in the press conference, saying that Japan is a tested friend of Bangladesh.

The preparation of the government on this occasion reflects that friendship. During her visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pledged to disclose some good news for Japan. What was that good news? Japan has given the highest single financial assistance. How Bangladesh can reciprocate that assistance? The diplomatic circle in Dhaka told that Bangladesh is going to make a great sacrifice for Japan. 

Japan is set to contest for the temporary seat of UN Security Council. In 2016-17 tenure Bangladesh is also a contender for that post. Japan desires that Bangladesh would withdraw its candidature for that post. Maybe that would be the great good news for Japan from Bangladesh. As the premier Sheikh Hasina, in last May, told that Bangladesh is ready to make sacrifices for the tested friend like Japan.

During his Dhaka tour Prime Minister Shinzō Abe will hold formal meeting with Bangladesh PM and will also make courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid. He will pay tribute to the martyrs at Savar National Mausoleum and will pay visit to Bangabandhu museum at Dhanmondi.

He also will address the Bangladesh-Japan economic forum. He also will visit the Opposition leader in Jatiyo Sangsad Raushan Ershad and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.Shinzō Abe will reach Dhaka on Saturday noon accompanied by more than 150 member delegation including a 50-member high profile business group.  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will receive him at the Shahjalal International Airport.

The foot-over bridges have been decorated with large size banners inscribing ‘Long Live Shinzō Abe’. Many pictures of Sheikh Hasina’s Japan visit are also fixed at different places of the thoroughfares. The road islands have been decorated with the flags and photos of two leaders of Japan and Bangladesh. In short, Dhaka is ready to welcome the tested friend.

BDST: 1756 HRS, SEP 05, 2014