Bangladesh, being a facilitator in the UN, has strongly supported Japan's candidature as a permanent member in the UNSC and there is no change in that position, visiting Japanese Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa said at a press conference yesterday evening at Sonargaon Hotel.

"I have expressed Japan's gratitude to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia as she reiterated Bangladesh's support to Japan for our permanent membership in the UNSC," he said lauding Bangladesh's role and contribution in the UN, especially in its peacekeeping missions.

He said he requested both the Bangladesh prime minister (PM) and the foreign minister that Bangladesh play the role of a co-sponsor of Japan in the draft resolution for the UN reforms to increase the UNSC membership from 15 to 25.

Japan along with India, Germany and Brazil will soon submit the draft resolution seeking increase of the current five-member UNSC structure of the permanent membership to 11 by inclusion of six more countries, including Japan, India and four other countries.

According to the draft, the new permanent members will not exercise veto powers until the next UN reforms in 2020. It will need the support of more than two-thirds UN members to adopt the amended resolution.

Asked whether Bangladesh has given any assurance in this regard, he said, "The Bangladesh side said that this matter is to be solely considered and examined in the government," he added.

The Japanese minister said, "We have to bring the reform to the UN to make it more meaningful for the future world," as the world has much changed since the inception of the UN 60 years ago.

Replying to a question about China's position on the UNSC reforms, Aisawa said China belongs to the consensus group and is actively working in the UN. "We like to work together with all countries which share same 'will', including Bangladesh, and make strong diplomatic efforts to get the draft resolution passed by more than 128 out of the 191 UN member states.

"It is Japan's wish that in cooperation and coordination with China also, we work together as representatives of Asia," he added.

Ichiro Aisawa's visit is the second by a Japanese senior vice minister after Shuzen Tanigawa's visit last month.

Describing his visit and meetings with the Bangladesh PM and foreign minister as fruitful and successful, Aisawa said both Japan and Bangladesh will continue to cooperate each other for the causes of global peace, progress and development. "Bangladesh is a responsible actor in the international society and an important country in Asia," Aisawa added.

He said Japan is now focusing on assistance to the developing countries through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) for achieving socioeconomic development of the poor nations.

Turning to Bangladesh, he said Japan and Bangladesh have excellent bilateral relations and truly want to further deepen the ties. The Japanese people and investors in Bangladesh are working hard for the economic development of Bangladesh, he said, adding, "Bangladesh is one of the most top priority countries to Japan."

Elaborating Japanese assistance, Ichiro Aisawa said Japan thinks Bangladesh still needs help in its infrastructure development like construction of major bridges, and gave assurance to extend all-out assistance for Bangladesh's human resources, infrastructure and economic development.

Referring to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's visit to Tokyo next month, he said a massive preparation is going on there to greet the Bangladesh PM, and hoped that it would be a very significant and meaningful visit.

Japanese Ambassador in Bangladesh Matsushiro Horiguchi was present at the press conference.