Japanese Ambassador Tamotsu Shinotsuka yesterday said his country would assist Bangladesh in addressing the issue of nagging traffic congestion.

"Our government is giving importance to this issue," he said at a 'Meet the Reporters' session organised by Dhaka Reporters' Unity at its auditorium in the city.

It is a complex issue, the envoy said, adding that Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has been conducting a feasibility study and that experts from Tokyo have already come to Bangladesh to find out a solution to the problem.

Mentioning that Tokyo is also facing the same problem, he said, "Flyover, underground rail and sky-train are not the only solution to this problem. We should take into consideration various aspects and elements, including improving traffic rules and management."

"We have to address the issue in a holistic and comprehensive manner," he said. "We will continue to support and cooperate with the government of Bangladesh in its efforts to solve the problem."

Mentioning that Japan is the largest donor to Bangladesh, the ambassador said the accumulated total amount of assistance to Bangladesh stands at $10 billion, which is larger than the combined assistance provided by the United States and the United Kingdom.

He also said Japan considers Bangladesh a potential destination of its relocated production bases and investment.

"Now our investors are trying to shift production bases to other countries, including Bangladesh," he said.

Bangladesh is one of the promising countries and appearing as attractive destinations for Japanese businesses, particularly in textile and garment sector.

"You have excellent human resources and labour forces which are cheaper than in Thailand, Vietnam and China," he pointed out.

He also said the political situation seemed to be stable in Bangladesh after the last year's general election, which can attract investment, and that the government is doing quite a good job.

About assistance for the proposed Padma bridge, the envoy said the bridge is one of their priorities after the Jamuna Bridge.

Japan has already assisted in detailed study conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and will also cooperate in providing long-term assistance for it, he added.

The Japanese government has several priority areas, including infrastructure, human resources and socio-economic development, he said, adding that they also assist Bangladesh in its efforts to build power plants.

The ambassador said 3,00,000 foreign students, including Bangladeshis, would be allowed to study in Japan by 2020.

Currently, more than 1,600 Bangladeshi students are studying in Japan, he added.

Japan also has been assisting Bangladesh in fighting natural calamities and helped build 80 cyclone centres, he said.

DRU President Shamim Ahmad presided over the programme and its General Secretary Pathik Saha also spoke.