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Japan

Road to regional integration amid Dhaka-Tokyo trade imbalance

Trade relations between Japan and Bangladesh have grown steadily over the years, but several challenges persist. Bilateral trade increased from US$ 1 billion in 2010 to approximately US$ 3 billion in 2023, with ready-made garments (RMG) dominating Bangladesh’s exports. Other significant exports include leather goods and home textiles, while Bangladesh imports essential industrial products such as iron and steel, vehicles, and machinery from Japan. However, trade imbalances remain a concern, with Bangladesh facing a merchandise trade deficit with Japan. Additionally, anti-dumping duties (ADD) imposed by Japan on select Bangladeshi exports, such as jute, have further complicated trade relations.

Japan’s ODA surge in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's super-fast rise on Japan’s ODA landscape is a significant development in South Asia. Japan’s ODA to Bangladesh began to rise from 2012 onwards, from a mere $78 million in 2011 to $305 million in 2012, and this trend has continued since then, with one analyst suggesting Japan provided $16.19 billion in foreign aid to Bangladesh up to 2021. Japan’s ODA increases have happened in tandem with Bangladesh’s economic growth, rise in bilateral trade and recognition of its strategic importance for maritime security. Sheikh Hasina’...

Commerce Adviser meets Japan State Minister Ogushi

Ogushi Masaki, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, received a courtesy call from H.E. Sk. Bashir Uddin, Adviser of the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh, and exchanged views on Japan-Bangladesh economic relations on Tuesday. State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ogushi welcomed the visit of Mr. Sk. Bashir Uddin, Adviser of the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the business environment of Bangladesh for attracting more enterp...

Port investment in Bangladesh

Japanese investment in a new deep-water port at Matarbarhi Island on the southeast coast of Bangladesh highlights increasing geo-political rivalry fuelled by the United States and its allies as part of Washington’s “pivot to Asia.” The $US3.66 billion project cuts across a long-standing Chinese offer to build deep-water port facilities at Sonadia, only 25 kilometres from Matarbarhi. The Japanese investment, which also includes a 1,200-megawatt power plant, was confirmed last month by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). China has said that it was not interested in bidding for the Matarbarhi port and the Sonadia port project looks increasingly unlikely. [caption id="attachment_18346" align="alignright" width="612"]

Japan scraps 2020 Olympic stadium design

The Japanese government has decided to scrap its controversial design for the stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his government would “start over from zero”. The original design, by British architect Zaha Hadid, had come under criticism as estimated building costs almost doubled, reaching $2bn (£1.3bn) [caption id="attachment_18229" align="alignright" width="624"]japan olympic stadium An artist's impression of the original stadium design[/caption] Mr Abe says the new stadium will...

Japan’s security bills to break regional order: Experts

Bangladeshi experts has said that Japan’s security bills will bring new complications into global and regional politics as the country seeks to play an aggressive role to counter the existing regional order. Their comments came after Japan’s ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rammed through the controversial security bills that will expand the role of the country’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in the all-powerful lower house of the nation’s Diet amid strong public opposition. BD-JapanThe bills also show that Japan eyes China’s existing ...
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