Former Japanese Foreign Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka has appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in ensuring democracy and development in the country. reports UNB.

He also lauded efficient handling of recent flood situation by the government.

The Japanese leader was speaking at a dinner hosted jointly by Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Leaders and Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Association in honour of Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad, now in Tokyo, on Monday evening, according to a message received in the city yesterday.

Mitsuzuka also lauded the leadership of Bangladesh government in consolidating democracy and strengthening the regional cooperation.

In this connection, he also appreciated Bangladesh's role in organising business summit of the three regional countries.

The veteran Japanese parliamentarian recalled the strong bond of friendship established between the two countries by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Samad Azad expressed his deep gratitude to the people and government of Japan for the assistance to Bangladesh since its independence in 1971.

He recalled the great support of Japanese people and leadership in the war of independence and assistance for building up the war-ravaged economy of the country.

He also appreciated the role of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary League and expressed the hope that the development efforts of Bangladesh will get support of Japanese Parliamentarians. so that Bangladesh can go ahead with its goals for attaining self-reliance and poverty alleviation.