The ambassador said this when he called on President and Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban and discussed the ongoing political crisis.

Talking to the envoy, the chief adviser called upon the political parties concerned to call off the ongoing blockade, saying that his caretaker government has taken all possible measures for holding free and fair elections.

Terming the relations between Bangladesh and Japan "excellent", the president said Japan is working as a partner of Bangladesh for its development.

He hoped that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) would be strengthened further as Japan has become its observer.

The Japanese ambassador mentioned joint work of Bangladesh and Japan in different forums, including the United Nations. "Cooperation of Japan would be continued for the development of Bangladesh," he said.

Masayaki Inoue reaffirmed Japan's support to the pre-election caretaker government of Bangladesh.

At one stage of discussion, the envoy voiced concern over the recent political violence in Bangladesh and said, "If the violence continues, it may affect Japanese investment and cooperation with Bangladesh."

The president and the ambassador both hoped that the political violence would be stopped forthwith and the upcoming election held with participation of all the political parties of the country.