The militant attack at an upscale Gulshan cafe in Bangladesh’s capital, where Japanese and other foreign diners were taken hostage, highlights Japan’s major role in development work overseas, particularly in Asia.
Eight outside consultants for Japan’s development agency were eating together at Holey Artisan Bakery in a diplomatic zone in Dhaka when the attack began around 9:20 p.m. Friday. One, who had been shot, was among 13 hostages rescued after security forces stormed the restaurant Saturday morning. Before the fates of the others were confirmed, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described the situation as dire.
“These people are those who worked hard for the development of Bangladesh, and so this is the