An Assignment on Contribution of Japan to liberation War

Department of Japanese Studies

University of Dhaka
Course name: Japan-Bangladesh Relations: Economic, Political, Social and
Cultural
Course code: JS 502
Submitted to
Shiblee Noman 
Lecturer
Department of Japanese Studies
University of Dhaka
Submitted by
Mubin Khan Afridi
Roll: KJH-100-023
3rd year, 5th semester
Department of Japanese Studies
University of Dhaka
Date: 24/08/2020
Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................................3
Role Of Japanese Media in the Liberation War of Bangladesh:...................................................................3
Role of Bangladesh association in Japan:....................................................................................................5
Role of Japan in the Refugees problem created in the Independence War.................................................5
Personal Contribution Japanese Individual in the Liberation War of Bangladesh.......................................6
Tsuyoshi Nara:.........................................................................................................................................6
Professor Minoru Kiriyu...........................................................................................................................6
Mr Takamasa Suzuki................................................................................................................................6
Mrs Midori Yamanaka:............................................................................................................................7
Contribution of Mr. Takashi Hayakawa:......................................................................................................7
Conclusion:..................................................................................................................................................7
Reference....................................................................................................................................................7
Introduction: Bangladesh and Japan have traditionally maintained a healthy relationship,
characterized by cooperation, respect, friendship, goodwill and partnership for development in
the fields of economic, trade and commerce. The framework of cooperation between Bangladesh
and Japan is underpinned by a several common factors, such as climatic conditions, culture,
religion, tradition and history.
Japan had a great deal of impact on the liberation war of Bangladesh. The Japanese Media did
broadcast the true situation of the condition of East Pakistan throughout the World in 20 different
languages. Japanese people with the help of Bangladeshi people living there created a mobilizing
social campaign to gain support for the Independence Wat of Bangladesh. Many Japanese
intellectuals, students, teachers took part in it. They oppose helping the West Pakistani atrocities.
Japan played a more significant impact to gain international acceptance for a new country like
Bangladesh. Many Japanese officials who gave away their job to help the refugees of East
Pakistan in Indian. They did fundraisers to gain wealth for the refugees in India. These would be
the main focal point of my assignment.

Role Of Japanese Media in the Liberation War of Bangladesh: The Japanese

media performed an essential position in developing a very sympathetic and beneficial public
opinion for Bangladesh, which made public opinion mobilization campaign with the aid of using
the Bengalis, numbering only approximately 30 in the course of Japan, with the powerful and
spontaneous assist of Japanese politicians, scholars, teachers, students, non-secular businesses
and ordinary people, and ultimately a successful one.
Japanese Media played a vital role to inform the millions of Japanese readers about the emerging
political situation in east Pakistan, Radio Japan, the overseas broadcasting wing of NHK or Japan
Broadcasting Corporation, through its regular programs more than 20 languages including
Bengali, kept millions of overseas listeners, informed and updated throughout the entire period
of our war of liberation. The authenticity and unbiased nature of Radio Japan's news and analysis
became legendary during the War.
Millions of listeners in south Asia depended in the unbiased news of Radio Japan. During the
liberation War, Radio Japan's role in broadcasting the real situation in East Pakistan, West
Pakistan and India as well as international development about Bangladesh issue could be termed
as that of "positive neutrality".
There were two national dailies, The Asahi and Mainichi Shimbun unanimously expressed
concern about the situation and urged the Pakistan Government to avoid bloodshed through talk.
The Asahi said that 70 to 80 per cent of Pakistani government officials and military personnel are
from west Pakistan and the economic developments and the government expenditure emphasized
West Pakistan. The paper said " The dissatisfaction of East Pakistan people for many years
cannot be repressed through military oppression. The more the number of the dead and wounded
increase as a result of clashes between troops and civilians, the deeper will become the hatred of
east Pakistan for West Pakistan.
The Asahi criticized President Yahya Khan's branding of Mr Rahman as a traitor and his
outlawing of Awami league. The use of military force, the Asahi said, will not only be
ineffective in bringing about a fundamental solution of the problem but, furthermore, it will also
cause general anxiety. There is no other way than a political solution to avoid the tragedy of
bloodshed and to calm the movement of East Pakistan for separation and independence. That
was The Asahi Shimbun.

The Mainichi Shimbun also made its remarks. The Mainichi noted that Mr Rahman's Awami
League won the elections of last December to become the largest political party in Pakistan
Parliament. By refusing to open the Parliament, however, the President in effect denied the
principle of democracy in Pakistan. Mainichi went on to say that there is the danger of conflict in
Pakistan, developing into an international dispute, thus creating severe tension in South East
Asia. Their position was in fact in our side throughout liberation war.
Role of Bangladesh association in Japan: On March 26 the number of Bengalis in
Tokyo and its neighborhood was about 20, almost all of them being students and trainees. At
around 11 a.m. they got together at the Foreign Student house in Komaba to decide their fate.
After lengthy discussion and deliberation, they took a clear cut decision: 'Resolve that from
today we are no more Pakistani, we are citizens of sovereign Bangladesh'. In the same meeting,
Bangladesh Association in Japan was formed. Mr Eskander Ahmed Chowdhury became the
main contract person with Japan-Bangladesh Friendship association of Professor Tsuyoshi Nara
and Japan – Bangladesh Solidarity front of Professor Tsurushima, Professor Hajime Katsube, Mr
Hideo Takamo along with two Bengali diplomats and five non-diplomatic staff members.
The main activities of Bangladesh association may be summed up as follows: In addition to
discreet but direct contact with the Japanese public, the Association members also actively and
openly participate in the relief campaign led by japan-Bangla friendship association was
humanitarian rather than political because the humanitarian appeal had greater convincing effect
on the Japanese people in general. The campaign was highly successful. It achieved its cherished
objective of mobilizing the Japanese public opinion in favour of Bangladesh. At the same time,
about 400 tons of clothes were collected and shipped in July 1971 for the Bangladesh refugee in
India.
Bangladesh Association, japan on March 28, 1971, issued two statements entitled, "Appeal of the
Bangladesh Association of Japan" and "Press Release -1. These two documents were of great
importance among the journalists, intellectuals and organizations.

Role of Japan in the Refugees problem created in the Independence

War: Japanese media devoted to the humanitarian concern over the refugees and death of
thousand due to outbreak of cholera epidemic in refugee camps. The published all-around June,
July and August. The news and pictures of human suffering caused by the atrocities of Pakistan
army awakened dee sympathy among the Japanese people. The daily coverage in the mass media
and mass participation of the Japanese public in a fundraising campaign by various organizations
kept the issue of the war alive. At the same time, the Japanese government reflecting the public
sympathy for the millions of refugees also showed more awareness about the need for more aid
to Bangladesh refugees. The Japanese newspaper from August onward in their editorials took the
initiative to call for permanent arrangements so the millions of refugees in a squalid camp in
India can return to their homes with safety, security and honour which indirectly hinted the only
political solution left was the creation of independent Bangladesh.
Mainichi Shinbun published an editorial on June 9, entitled, "Save the Refugees" said: "The
number of refugees flowing into India from East Pakistan is rapidly increasing. During a little
over two months since the civil war started in East Pakistan more than four million people have
come to India with only the clothes on their backs, and they are now destitute in the rainy season.
Cholera and other disease are spreading among them. The pitiful condition of the refugees is due
to the unbearable situation in East Pakistan. We shall have to extend our hands of relief to these
helpless people and quickly". This statement proves the concerns of Japanese people of East
Pakistani refugees.
The Asahi Evening News of June 5 1971, in its first page printed the pictures of a refugee family
on a handcart. The headline news item was "Cholera Spreading Rapidly – 5000 E. Pakistani
Refugee Die" The caption of the photograph also touched the heart of everyday reader

Personal Contribution Japanese Individual in the Liberation War of

Bangladesh: Personal contribution of individual Japanese nationals for the cause of
Bangladesh in 1971 was of great importance not only to the public opinion mobilization
campaign but also in early diplomatic recognition of Bangladesh by Japan.
During the crucial struggle of the war of liberation, many individuals representing the cross-
section of the Japanese people to the war of Bangladesh in Japan. They are the "eyewitness to the
history "of the War of Liberation. Their support, sympathy and active participation made the
campaign for mobilization of public opinion and also in fundraising of millions of Yen and
collection of relief materials in japan for the refugees in Indian camps successful.
These persons were Mr. Tamadasu Fukiura( Japan Mukti) : The Executive director of Tokyo
Foundation, was in East Pakistan in 1971, as Representative of International Red Cross Society.
When the Japanese nationals were evacuated from Dacca in 1971 after the eruption of civil war
leading genocide by Pakistan forces, Mr Fukira refused to return to Japan and stayed back till
early February of 1072. He intentionally made him missing by going to remote areas of Hatia
Island. He remained in Bangladesh, so he can save as many lives he can by preventing Pakistan
Army's atrocities.

Tsuyoshi Nara: Professor Tsuyoshi Nara was the pioneer of public opinion mobilization
campaign in Japan. He is the person who created Japan- Bangladesh friendship association in the
first week of 1971 to support the cause of Bangladesh and mainly raise funds for the refugees in
India.

Professor Minoru Kiriyu: Mr Kiriyu was the chief of the secret group created in Japan to gain
political support for the liberation war of Bangladesh. This society used to counter Pakistani
propaganda and tackle any adverse political opinion against the just established Mujibnagar
Government.

Mr Takamasa Suzuki : Mr. Takamasa was a computer engineer working in Tokyo in 1971. He
read the appeal of Mr. Nara and decided to become a member of the Association. He actively
participated in the fundraising campaign with us regularly in the streets of Tokyo. Later he
visited refugee camps in Calcutta in June. He was so much moved by the suffering of the
refugees in Salt Lake City in Calcutta that after his return to Tokyo, he decided to resign from his
high-profile job and engaged himself intensive public opinion mobilization campaign for the war
of Liberation.
Mrs Midori Yamanaka: Mrs Yamanaka was a Junior school teacher who engaged herself in
raising fund for the suffering in Indian refugee camps. She worked in the weekends. She and her
old mother used to make Onigiri (rice ball raped in dried seaweed) for the Bangladeshi and
Japanese volunteers. She also took part in the public opinion mobilization campaign.

Contribution of Mr. Takashi Hayakawa: Tahashi Hayakawa is known as Mr

Bangladesh in Japan for his great support and friendship with our country. His relation with
Bangladesh started in 1970's cyclone, which hit hard in Bangladesh. So East Pakistani embassy
wanted to do a fundraising for the cyclone devasted country. They went to Mr Takashi. Then he
learnt about our country. He launched the fundraising campaign which goes wide publicity in the
press and TV.
Mr Hayakawa, before his sudden demise, wrote a memoir in Japanese, in which he mentioned
about the fundraising campaign he launched, after the devastating cyclone of 1970. His sincere
attachment and keen desire to be helpful for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh is aptly
reflected in the first article of his memoir. Mr Hayakawa said: in November 1970, the then East
Pakistan was assaulted by a most devastating cyclone in recorded history and hundreds of
thousands of people reportedly died. From a humanistic point of view, I carried out a thousand
fundraising campaign in the streets cyclone at that time. The purpose of the campaign was to
send a contribution from the sympathetic Japanese people to cyclone victims.
He was concern about Bangladesh in time of the liberation War. He helped Bangladesh to gain
international recognition. Then in 1972, he came to Bangladesh as special goodwill envoy of the
Government of Japan. He met Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He became a dear friend
of him. He became a friend of Bangladesh. He was so close to our country that he told his wife to
bury his ashes in Bangladesh. He will be our friend for eternity.

Conclusion: Japan recognized the People's Republic of Bangladesh on February 10, 1972,
soon after its independence. Without Japans help of sharing the real situation of East Pakistan in
international media, it would be impossible for us to make others country believe our position.
The donation of Japanese people fir the East Pakistani refugees were a great help for the people
of Bangladesh. Japan was thus one of the earliest countries to recognize Bangladesh officially.
Warm friendship has been fostered between our two peoples since then. Japan is the number one
donner country for Bangladesh. Japan- Bangladesh relations took to another level after the
Independence

Reference
 Japal, S. A. (2002). Japan's Contribution In The Independence Of Bangladesh . Dhaka: Golam
Mustafa, Hakkani Publishers .