There are more than 140 million people living in Bangladesh, which has a landmass less than 40% the size of Japan. Most of the country is bordered by India. 90% of its inhabitants are Muslim, whose lifesyles are greatly influenced by the teachings of Islam. However, it is not widely known that Bangladesh was once a center of Buddhism, which influenced religion in southeast Asia, Tibet, and western India. Invaluable Buddhist historical sites, including the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur, a world heritage site, dot the country.
In terms of climate, there are days during the April-September monsoon season when the humidity exceeds 90%. At its peak, a third of the country is underwater. It is not unusual for land in the lower river region to be washed away by flooding and there seems to be no end to the lawsuits brought by farmers who lose land.

Eid ul-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid ul-Adha were what surprised me most after I arrived here. Eid ul-Adha is akin to Japan's New Year's period and is one of the most important events of the year. Cows and goats are sacrificed and their meat is divided into three portions. The custom is to apportion 1/3 to yourself, 1/3 to God, and the remaining third to the poor. During this time, cows come in huge numbers via the overland route from Kolkata and cow markets are set up all over the city. The roadsides run red with blood and I have to admit, I was astonished the first time I saw this spectacle, but experiencing another culture in this way is an invaluable experience.

You can enjoy curries made with a variety of ingredients in Bangladesh. There is an incredible variety, with curries made of every type of meat, fish, and vegetable, as well as bean, mango, coconut, and yogurt. They are not as spicy as Indian-style curry, nor are they overly rich. They cost 30-50 taka (around ¥50-80) with meat or fish, and 5 taka (about ¥8) with vegetables only. The low price and a long-lasting feeling of satisfaction make curry the common man's meal here.
As drinking alcohol is prohibited for religious reasons in Bangladesh, the custom is to show hospitality to visitors by giving them food. The rule is to go with an empty stomach when visiting a customer.

There are few Japanese living in Bangladesh, but there is a strong sense of cohesion and you come into contact with people from many walks of life. I once had a chance to meet Mr. Antonio Inoki and have him slap my face when he visited here to set up a south Asian pro wrestling promotional tour.
The chance to live in a country with a different lifestyle, that is also a Muslim nation with a culture and environment very different from those of Japan, is one of the special benefits of working for a trading company.