Japan Reaffirms Bangladesh Security Partnership Against Terrorism

Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Bangladesh and the wider international community to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts and enhance security cooperation, while paying tribute to the victims of one of the darkest chapters in the two nations’ shared history.

The pledge was made by Shimada Tomaki, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, during a memorial ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka’s Gulshan area on 1 July 2016. The event was held on Thursday morning at the Metro Rail Exhibition and Information Centre (MEIC) at the Uttara Depot of Dhaka Metro Rail and was also broadcast online.

The ceremony began with a one-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the attack. Floral tributes were later placed before a memorial bearing the names of the victims.

Addressing the gathering, Shimada said Japan continues to remember all those affected by what he described as a “cruel and unjust terrorist attack”. He stressed that Japan remained determined to prevent such tragedies from occurring again and would continue working alongside Bangladesh and international partners to reinforce counter-terrorism initiatives and improve security measures.

The seven Japanese nationals killed in the attack were members of the preparatory study team for the then Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project. Their technical expertise and early planning laid much of the foundation for what has since become Dhaka’s modern metro rail system. As in previous years, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organised the memorial to honour its seven colleagues and recognise their lasting contribution to Bangladesh’s development.

Shimada said the Dhaka Metro Rail stands today as a tangible reflection of the victims’ vision, dedication and professional commitment. What began as a long-term infrastructure ambition has evolved into an essential part of daily life for thousands of commuters in the capital. Beyond improving urban mobility, he said, the metro system has become a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship and development partnership between Japan and Bangladesh.

He also noted that work on MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 is progressing based on the initial planning and surveys conducted by the seven Japanese experts, ensuring that their contribution continues to shape the country’s expanding transport network.

JICA Vows Continued Support for Bangladesh

JICA President Tanaka Akihiko said the memory of the seven Japanese citizens who lost their lives while serving Bangladesh continues to influence the organisation’s work nearly a decade later. He described their contribution as an enduring part of the history of cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh and expressed his deepest condolences to their families.

Tanaka reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to maintaining the highest possible security standards for its personnel while continuing its development partnership with Bangladesh. He observed that despite the devastating attack, the Dhaka Metro Rail project was completed and has since become indispensable to the everyday lives of the capital’s residents.

He added that JICA would continue supporting Bangladesh’s development journey while carrying forward the aspirations and dedication of the seven professionals whose work helped make the metro rail project possible.

Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), Additional Secretary Md Shaugatul Alam, also paid tribute to the victims, saying their sacrifice had become an inseparable part of the country’s metro rail legacy.

Mohammad Nur-e-Alam, Director General of the East Asia and Pacific Wing at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Japanese engineers who lost their lives were valued partners in Bangladesh’s development journey. He remarked that the people of Bangladesh would always remember their contribution and sacrifice with gratitude.

Among those addressing the memorial were Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, and Md Ahsan Kibria Siddiqui, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief (United States and Japan) of the Economic Relations Division. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi also attended the ceremony.

The annual memorial serves not only as a tribute to the victims of the 2016 attack but also as a reminder of the resilience of Bangladesh-Japan relations. Despite the tragedy, cooperation between the two countries has continued to deepen, particularly in infrastructure, transport and development, with the Dhaka Metro Rail standing as a lasting testament to the shared vision and partnership of both nations.