Fakhrul and Japanese envoy talked about political situation: Khasru

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori met BNP's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today and discussed the country's next general election and the overall political situation.

After the meeting at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office, the party's standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told journalists that Japan, like other democratic countries, wants to see a free, fair, and acceptable election in Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh's relations with Japan expanded significantly since we started the free market economy during the BNP government. That is why they [Japan] want that relation to continue even if the government changes," he said.

Khasru, along with the party's Organising Secretary Shama Obayed, was present at the meeting. They discussed the overall electoral system of Bangladesh and the current human rights situation, he said.

The BNP leader said like other countries, Japan might have concerns about Bangladesh's next election, human rights situation, rule of law, press freedom, and people's security.

"So, they want to understand what is happening in Bangladesh, what is going to happen in the future, and where Bangladesh is headed." he said.

Khasru said the Japanese envoy talked about his country's investment in Bangladesh -- both in the private and public sectors.

He said they informed Iwama Kiminori about the country's overall situation.

The BNP leader said many countries are concerned about the investment atmosphere and the future of Bangladesh.

"The situation we are going through now has created apprehension among countries. So, they are trying to understand how Bangladesh will be in the future and how the election will be."

Asked whether Japan will play any role in ensuring a peaceful and fair election in Bangladesh, the BNP leader said the democratic countries have already expressed their goodwill regarding the elections in Bangladesh. "Japan is no different. Everyone wants a free, fair, and acceptable election in Bangladesh."