New Delhi, February 17. Japan’s government has officially commended the democratic conduct of Bangladesh’s recent national parliamentary elections held on February 12, with results announced the following day. International observers, including a delegation from Japan, were invited to monitor the voting process across the country.
In a detailed statement, Tokyo highlighted the credible and largely peaceful nature of the 13th General Election. Led by former Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Mr. Watanabe Masato, the observer mission included officials from Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, and an independent expert. Their on-ground assessment confirmed that the electoral procedures adhered strictly to established protocols.
‘Japan welcomes the trustworthy and mostly peaceful conduct of the general election,’ the statement noted. It further praised Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions as a fellow democratic nation.
Japan reiterated its commitment to deepening strategic partnerships with Bangladesh, focusing on development, prosperity, and bilateral ties. This endorsement comes amid the formation of a new cabinet under BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, who has assumed the role of Prime Minister.
The expanded cabinet features 25 ministers and 24 state ministers from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Key figures include Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed, among others. Notably, several senior BNP leaders did not secure positions in the new lineup, sparking discussions on internal party dynamics.
This positive international feedback underscores Bangladesh’s pivotal moment in its political evolution, with Japan positioning itself as a steadfast ally in the nation’s journey toward stability and growth. As Dhaka navigates its new governmental structure, global partnerships like this could play a crucial role in fostering economic and diplomatic progress.