The Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the Japanese Association in Dhaka and SHOKOKAI (Japanese Commerce and Industry Association) held two separate programmes at its Baridhara diplomatic enclave here yesterday in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan.

Japan, one of the earliest countries to recognise Bangladesh, established diplomatic ties on February 10, 1972, soon after the independence of the country.

Many colourful events marked the almost year-long celebration programmes to commemorate the 30th year of diplomatic relations.

Yesterday's programme split into two sessions-morning session was exclusively for the school children and the afternoon session for the adults.

The morning session was participated by 120 school children from Japan School, Baridhara Elementary School, Angle Sho Kai and some English medium schools. They spent three and a half hours from 10.00 am interacting each other, gossiping and enjoying popular Japanese cartoon movie. The session was followed by lunch.

The afternoon session which began at 1.30 pm was attended by 50 Bangladeshis and 40 Japanese. Bangladeshis, who either studied in Japan or visited. Japan for participating in seminars, training and business meeting, were invited to attend yesterday's gathering, said E. Kato, president of Japanese Association.

Talking to BSS, Takao Kobayashi, president of Japanese Commerce and Industry Association described his country's celebration of diplomatic ties with Bangladesh as very significant.