It is a little different. Japanese leaders are dominating type. Unquestioned loyalty by the common Japanese to their country and Imperial family make them nationalists. The society is fully regimented and disciplined, cannot be found in any other country, least of all, in the Indian Sub-Continent.
However, the time of Japanese world dominance by guns is over now. They are dominating now by the strength of their economic power. Bangladesh will not be in a dilemma if Japanese Navy makes joint exercise with BN. BN will also gladly accept made-in-Japan military toys if sold at heavily discounted price.
But, I think, a naval base in BD is not in the Japanese wish list, nor should BD accept such a base. Japan does not have any base outside of their country. Japan is supposed to be more interested in consolidating their strength in the Pacific where an aggressive China is bullying all the countries in that region.
For BD, the best defense option is China. However, BD is doing well by playing even with also USA, EU as well as Japan. All these countries are our development partner whom we can trust also as defense partners against a bullying big brother.
This regimented society is an asset for Asia. If Japan and South Korea decide to lead ASEAN-10, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and create a security alliance, and these countries accept to follow, do you think this regimentation can be extended to these societies?
I have been in Japanese and Korean factories in Chittagong Export Processing Zone. The productivity of the same Bangladeshi worker in these factories is higher than in Bangladeshi factories. Since many of these countries cannot manage their own affairs, I think it would be better to bring them in as managers, even in country management as advisers in Ministries.
Instead of being abused by Indian interference, I think it will be better to let somebody else run our affairs, who are successful at running their own affairs, such as Japan and Korea. They are already doing it on a limited basis in Bangladesh and other ASEAN countries, running many export-oriented factories, what I am proposing is to expand their role, not just in Bangladesh, but all countries in ASEAN and Sri Lanka.
China is a large country, in area and in population, they do not need anyone's help. Also, they are not in same level of development as Japan or even South Korea. Japan and South Korea are small, they need foreign labors, and bring them in as guest workers. If they feel secure about investing in these countries, they can move to these countries instead to setup and run their factories on a much larger scale. They could bring all their best practices for agriculture, education etc.
If Japan and South Korea think seriously about this kind of proposal, then why should we not give them base, specially if it is for the whole group alliance and not just for Japan? The US is in this region maximum another 2-3 decades. I think if Chinese strategists have foresight, they will allow Japan and South Korea to create joint sphere of influence zone for themselves, so they no longer have to depend on the US for their security. This way, when this alliance is strong enough to stand on its own feet and no longer need US protection, they can automatically become more friendly and start to align themselves more with China.