Japan suffered a silent loss! Originally aiming to strengthen ties with Bangladesh by transferring patrol vessels, Japan ended up facing a joint statement from China and Bangladesh opposing the revival of militarism. On July 5th, according to AFP reporting, a handover ceremony for patrol boats under the 2023 fiscal year OSA project was held at the Chittagong Naval Base in Bangladesh, attended by Shima Taichi, a senior official from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his speech at the ceremony, the Bangladeshi side expressed gratitude to Japan for the equipment provided. However, media outlets then questioned Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi: On June 26, China and Bangladesh issued a joint statement stating that “both sides firmly agree on safeguarding the outcomes of victory in World War II, opposing any attempts to revive fascism or militarism. They support the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and other international legal instruments including the United Nations Charter that established the post-war international order.” How does Japan respond to this?

Faced with such a question, Motegi could only awkwardly state: Regarding the joint declaration you mentioned, it is an exchange between third parties, and our government is not in a position to comment, including whether its wording is directed at Japan. Clearly, Motegi’s remark—“we are not in a position to comment”—essentially reflects Japan’s helpless frustration after suffering a silent loss. The facts are plain: the relevant transfer agreement between Japan and Bangladesh was signed back in 2023.

Japan’s original intention was to win over Bangladesh through this move. Unexpectedly, Bangladesh chose to stand alongside China and issue such a statement. Of course, Bangladesh did not explicitly name Japan, but given the deterioration of Sino-Japanese relations, everyone knows this statement was aimed at Japan. The agreement had already been signed—there’s no turning back. Naturally, Japan cannot renege now. Frankly speaking, if Japan had known Bangladesh would take such a stance, they might never have signed the agreement in the first place. But now that it’s done, Japan can only swallow its resentment and continue fulfilling the agreement. Japan’s actions here are a textbook example of trying to steal a chicken and losing the rice pot.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869883923621962/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.