Japan wants quick disposal of the case filed over Holey Artisan attack last year.

During a meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at the secretariat yesterday, Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) President Shinichi Kitaoka also wanted to know whether the government took any initiative for families of the seven Japanese killed in Gulshan.

The Jica president inquired about the progress of the investigation into the attack, the home minister told reporters after the meeting.

Kitaoka led a six-member delegation including the Japanese ambassador to Dhaka Masato Watanabe. None of the delegates talked to reporters.

"They demanded quick disposal of the case," the minister said.

On July 1 last year, five armed militants stormed into Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan area and killed 20 people including three Bangladeshis, seven Japanese, nine Italians, and one Indian. Two police officers were also killed when they tried to take control of the situation.  The siege ended through a commando operation in which five militants and a chef died.

The home boss said he informed the Japanese delegation about the progress of the investigation of the case and assured them of its quick disposal.

"We also briefed them on our security measures at different Jica projects and they expressed satisfaction," Asaduzzaman said, adding that the home ministry was ready to provide more security at the projects if they wanted.

The Jica president also met Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Wednesday. After the meeting, Muhith told reporters that the government was going to honour the foreigners killed in Holey Artisan.

Meanwhile, UNB adds that Shinichi Kitaoka yesterday said Japan would never stop cooperation with Bangladesh, as the two countries had been enjoying very good relations.

"Japan will never stop cooperation with Bangladesh," he said when he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban in the evening.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

The JICA President also told the prime minister, "We're very much satisfied with the security measures under your leadership."