Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus spoke to NHK in an exclusive interview in the capital on Wednesday about how he plans to rebuild his country.

The administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina collapsed last August amid student protests after 15 years in power.

Yunus became chief advisor of the interim government after the uprising.

The Nobel Peace laureate wants to ensure that the country lands on its feet and becomes stronger.

He said, "Given the circumstances when we came in, I think we have come a long way, because it's a completely devastated society, devastated economy, devastated political system, judicial system, everything."

The election is an essential step toward becoming a democratic nation. He says the earliest timing that voting could be held would be at the end of this year.

"When the election is held, the new government that will be elected to the election will have a very safe and sound basis to work with," Yunus said.

He expects young people in the country to be influential going forward. They played a key role in last year's unrest.

Yunus said: "What young people would like to do, show their creative power and share it with the rest of the world. So that's the ambition that we have in our mind and see how we proceed."

He also expressed gratitude toward the country's largest developing partner, Japan. He says its technology and investment have created jobs for young Bangladeshis.