Bangabandhu presented a stuffed tiger head to former Diet member Takashi Hayakawa during his 1973 Japan visit
Bangabandhu presented a stuffed tiger head to former Diet member Takashi Hayakawa during his 1973 Japan visitHayakawa’s son Osamu Hayakawa handed over the gift to Bangladesh embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, reports BSS.
Takashi Hayakawa was a member of the Diet and headed the Japan Bangladesh Friendship Association. He played a leading role in securing Japan’s support and recognition for newly independent Bangladesh.
He also visited Bangladesh to assess the need for Japanese assistance.
Bangabandhu presented Hayakawa the gift, a tiger head, during his visit to the island nation on October 18, 1973, as a mark of friendship between the two countries.
The Bengal Tiger, Bangladesh’s national animal, was used as a symbol of the spirit of the country.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Rabab Fatima thanked the Hayakawa family for handing the tiger head over to the embassy.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam joined Thursday’s ceremony as the chief guest.
Former Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh and President of Japan-Bangladesh Society Matsushiro Horiguchi, representatives from the Japanese government and distinguished members of the society, among others, attended the ceremony.
Shahriar said the tiger head would continue to bear the testimony to the foundation of strong ties laid by Bangabandhu and late Hayakawa.
He hoped the bilateral ties between the two nations would grow stronger in future.
