Japan and the Emargence of Bangladesh

The emergence of Bangladesh in 1971 was undoubtedly a turning point in the South Asia as well as in global politics. The demand for autonomy of the then East Pakistani caused by the deliberate policy of disparity by the Pakistani Central Government later turned into the demand for a separate independent country. It was responded by the Pakistani military government with cruel atrocities and large-scale genocide all over the country. In consequence the Bengali people had to wage a nine-month long liberation war which drew support and sympathy from across the world. During the liberation war the Japanese media, journalists, intellectuals, politicians, government and people played a highly praiseworthy role. The exclusive press coverage programs in the Radio Japan, NHK, editorials, political commentaries both in English and Japanese did not only help to gain the support of Japanese nation, but also contribute in formulating a pro-Bangladesh opinion of the international community. This book focuses on the Japanese views as well as those of the Bengalis in Japan. Dr. Sukumar Biswas was a visiting Research Fellow in Tokyo from May through December 1996. This work grows out of his eight month long painstaking research in Japan.