Japan to Establish Virtual Cultural Center in Bangladesh
Nahid Islam, Advisor on Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, denounced internet shutdowns as a violation of human rights while emphasizing the need for satellite internet services in Bangladesh. His remarks came during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori on Monday at the ICT Tower in Agargaon, Dhaka. ICT Secretary Shish Hayder Chowdhury and ICT Policy Advisor Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb were also present.
During the meeting, Nahid Islam expressed optimism about Japan’s support in enhancing ICT skills among Bangladesh’s youth through training. He highlighted the innate talent and enthusiasm of Bangladeshi youth for IT, emphasizing that proper training could significantly boost their capabilities.
Ambassador Iwama affirmed Japan's willingness to assist in skill development and creating employment opportunities for Bangladeshi youth. He underscored the enduring friendship between Japan and Bangladesh, asserting that the relationship remains robust even under the current interim government. Nahid Islam expressed gratitude for Japan's steadfast support.
The discussion also touched on concerns raised by Japanese businesses regarding disruptions caused by internet shutdowns during July and August. Nahid Islam strongly criticized such measures, accusing the previous government of weaponizing internet blackouts to suppress student movements and carry out indiscriminate crackdowns. He assured that steps were being taken to prevent future shutdowns and revealed plans to implement satellite internet services, including SpaceX’s Starlink, to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
The meeting also explored cultural collaboration, with Ambassador Iwama advocating the promotion of Japanese culture, including films, cartoons, and dramas. Nahid Islam called for the establishment of a Japanese cultural center in Bangladesh, to which the ambassador proposed a virtual cultural center as a starting point.
Ambassador Iwama also expressed Japan’s readiness to support media freedom under the interim government. Nahid Islam, in turn, sought Japan's assistance in countering misinformation allegedly spread by members of the ousted regime on international media and social platforms regarding the July protests.
