FOIP for rule-based int’l order, stability & prosperity in region: Japan

Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori has said the visit of two vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is the practical cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh in order to realise “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” for ensuring a rule-based international order.

This is also in order to bring stability and prosperity for every country as well as to secure peace and prosperity in the region, he said while addressing a reception on the occasion of the visit by JS URAGA and JS AWAJI of JMSDF to Chattogram.

Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori and Mrs. Iwamat Tomomi hosted the reception in Chittagong Club on Sunday (April 9) to strengthen relations with Chattogram communities.

The Japanese envoy in his speech also referred to Japan’s new plan for FOIP announced by Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio on March 20, 2023.

In the new plan, he said four pillars of cooperation for FOIP were launched;(1) "Principles for Peace and Rules for Prosperity", (2) "Addressing Challenges in an Indo-Pacific Way", (3) "Multi-layered Connectivity", and (4) "Extending Efforts for Security and Safe Use of the “Sea” to the “Air””.

Ambassador Iwama expressed his expectation that Bangladesh would play a vital role in materialising the new vision based on the new pillars since Japan focuses on “Development of an Industrial Value Chain connecting the Bay of Bengal and North Eastern Region of India” as a concrete example of the 3rd pillar of “Multi-layered Connectivity” and emphasized the importance of further strengthening connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region including Chattogram.

He also mentioned that this port visit is also one of the 4th pillars of practical cooperation for realising FOIP.

Rear Admiral Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury, Commander, Chattogram Naval Area (COMCHIT), Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman, Commander, Bangladesh Navy Fleet (COMBAN), Mahbubul Alam, President, the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) and Captain NAKAI Eiichi, Commander of Minesweeper Division One, JMSDF graced the occasion.