Dr. Takao Toda is currently works as the Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh office. Born in Osaka, Japan Dr. Takao Toda did is L.L.B in Kyoto University and Post graduation in the graduate school Frontier Science of Tokyo University. He also completed Ph. D from graduate School of International Development of Nagoya University.

Dr. Takao TODA started his professional career in JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) since 1984. At present he has been committing himself to the betterment of Bangladesh People as well as to the Socio-economic development of this country with his affluent experience as an aid practitioner. Both his academic insight and his empirical wisdom originated his first hand experience working with people and stake holders in various developing countries resonate each other to play a leading role as Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh.

His action principle as a Professional is principally based on the concept of Human Security, whose major frame work Consists of protecting people and empowering people, always putting “People” in the centre of various development issues. He regards Bangladesh as a marvelously complex country both with enormous challenges and opportunities. He believes that Bangladesh and Japan have a common ethos and that there are plenty of rooms for both to learn and support each other.

About JICA in Bangladesh: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an implementing agency of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). As the world’s largest bilateral and agency JICA provides high quality international cooperation to meet the needs of people living in around 150 developing countries.

Bangladesh and Japan have a long history of good friendship with the interaction of people between the two countries since Japanese ODA started in Bengal Region long before the independence of Bangladesh, it has witnessed the remarkable progress of Bangladesh economy and of the People’s living condition here. Despite a pile of challenges and difficulties, JICA believes, the people and the government of Bangladesh shall continue their successful path to peace and prosperity JICA’s Philosophy of assistance puts emphasis on people and community and their capacity development which facilitate the sustainable process “ Inclusive and Dynamic Development” of Bangladesh based on the concept of human security. This Philosophy deeply resonates with the believe of the great Tagore expressed as “we must understand the simple truth that everyman has resource within him. If we can appreciate and apply this, we can find a way out of poverty”

The recent institutional reform of Japan’s ODA has given a great opportunity to implement Japan’s ODA in a more dynamic way by providing Technical Cooperation, Grant Aid and ODA loans under a single roof of the new JICA with synergy effect since October, 2008. Furthermore JICA has also committed itself to deal with the issues of alignment and harmonization of various aid activities from the sprites of Ownership and partnership.

JICA is always standing by the people of Bangladesh to support in achieving their full potential for sustainable development and prosperity of Bangladesh.