Yunus meets Japan leaders, talks social business

Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus talks to Japanese Prime Minister Naota Kan at the latter's residence in Tokyo yesterday. They discussed application of the concept of social business in Japan and other countries.Photo: AFPBss, Dhaka

Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday called on Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako at their invitation in Tokyo at the Imperial Palace.

During the meeting, the Imperial couple discussed Prof Yunus's concept of social business and its potential role in solving some of society's most pressing problems, in Japan, Bangladesh and elsewhere, a release said yesterday.

Princess Masako had expressed particular interest in meeting Prof Yunus since her father, Justice Hisashi Owada, a former diplomat and currently President of the International Court of Justice, is a long time friend of Prof Yunus.

Justice Owada and Prof Yunus both serve on the board of United Nations Foundation founded and chaired by Ted Turner.

Earlier on the day, Prof Yunus met with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan at his residence.

During the meeting, Prof Yunus and the Japanese PM discussed on various issues related to social business.

The prime minister informed the Nobel Laureate that he recently proposed a concept of Public Service for Japanese society, which emphasises that all social responsibility should not be on the shoulder of governments alone, and advocates that partnerships have to be created with other actors in order to solve society's problem.

The premier and Prof Yunus also discussed the existing partnerships between Grameen and Japan, and possibility of future collaborations.

He was happy to know that Japan International Cooperation Agency is taking active interest in social business.

The PM said he would like to continue to support initiatives undertaken by Prof Yunus and would also introduce policy changes to enable Japanese development agencies to invest in social business.