H.E Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, MP, Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Bangladesh led a high-level delegation to attend the State Funeral for the former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo on 27 September 2022 held at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Mrs. Selima Ahmad, Hon'ble Member of the Parliament and H.E Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmed, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan attended the program as delegation members. Thousands of attendees, including representatives from over 217 countries, territories, and international organizations, as well as past and present members of parliament, local government representatives, national business and community leaders of Japan gathered to pay their respect to late Shinzo Abe.
A lot of preparation went behind organizing this event. After arrival of the cortege (remains) at the main entrance, the opening remarks was made by Deputy Chairman of the Memorial Service Committee (Chief Cabinet Secretary). The national anthem was played before observing a moment’s silence. After this, video footage of late former Prime Minister ABE was displayed to the attendees.
The program proceeded by commemorative speeches —the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida spoke first as the Chair of the Memorial Service Committee, followed by Mr. Hiroyuki Hosoda, Hon’ble Speaker of the House of Representatives; Mr. Hidehisa Otsuji, Hon’ble speaker of the House of Councilors; Mr. Saburo Tokura, Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; and finally former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as a representative of Abe’s closest colleagues. This segment was followed by paying of respect of imperial envoys at the altar on behalf of Their Majesties the Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. Foreign dignitaries including Bangladesh delegation led by the Hon’ble Foreign Minister also placed floral wreaths at the alter. Finally, the ceremony was ended with the sending off of Abe’s remains.
Later at the same evening, H.E Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, MP, Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Bangladesh attended the Greeting Occasion with the Hon’ble Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio held at the Akasaka Palace. Hon’ble Foreign Minister was accompanied by H.E Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmed, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan.
Earlier, the Hon’ble Foreign Minister arrived Tokyo in the afternoon of 26 September 2022. He held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan at the Foreign Ministry. They discussed issues of bilateral interest. This is the second meeting between the two Foreign Ministers in Tokyo following their meeting in April, 2022. The other members of the Bangladesh side comprised of Mrs. Selima Ahmad, Hon'ble Member of the Parliament; H.E Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmed, Ambassador of Bangladesh; Mr. Shah Asif Rahman, Deputy Chief of Mission; Mr. Sheikh Farid, Counsellor and HOC; Mr. Md Emdadul Islam Chowdhury, Director General, Foreign Minister’s Office and Ms. Tushita Chakma, Counsellor.
The Hon’ble Foreign Minister and his delegation departed Tokyo on 28 September 2022.
