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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Tokyo on Monday morning on a four-day official visit to Japan aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, attracting investment and expanding trade and development cooperation.
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage landed at Narita International Airport at 9:07am local time.
Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasutaka Nakasone received the prime minister at the airport. A motorcade then escorted him to Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, where he will stay during the visit.
Prime Minister’s Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Foreign Employment in the Asia-Pacific region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, and senior officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo were also present.
Earlier, Tarique left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka early Monday for Japan, accompanied by a small delegation.
According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, Tarique is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at her office on October 27. The meeting will be followed by a joint press announcement and a luncheon hosted by the Japanese premier.
During the visit, he will also meet Japanese government officials, development partners and business leaders, visit industrial and energy facilities, and deliver the keynote address at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum.
The visit is expected to strengthen the existing strategic partnership, attract fresh Japanese investment, expand bilateral trade and accelerate ongoing development projects, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told journalists at a media briefing at the Foreign Ministry on October 20.
Discussions will focus on implementing the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026, expanding market access for Bangladeshi products in Japan and strengthening business ties.
The two sides are also expected to explore cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, skills development and human resource development.
Tarique’s tentative programme includes meetings with the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League and the chairman of the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation.
Meetings are also planned with the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the president of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the chairman of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, according to the foreign secretary.
The proposed itinerary includes visits to a liquefied natural gas terminal and a power plant in Futtsu City, Chiba, the headquarters of UNIQLO and a Toyota factory in Nagoya.
Bangladesh and Japan are discussing draft memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements covering agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, skills enhancement, civil aviation, trade, environmental conservation and local government modernisation.
Around eight MoUs are under discussion, of which three to four could be signed during the visit. Separate agreements are also being pursued in education and human resource development.
“We hope that many of these MoUs will be signed during the visit,” Asad Alam Siam said.
The two sides are also expected to discuss Japanese support for establishing factories in Bangladesh, creating jobs and developing skilled human resources in line with the prime minister’s priorities.
Regional and international peace and stability, a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, energy cooperation and efforts to end international conflicts are also expected to feature in the discussions.
The visit follows Tarique’s participation in an online meeting in April at the invitation of the Japanese premier, during which Bangladesh welcomed a Japan-led initiative to address energy challenges across Asia.
Japan has been a major development partner of Bangladesh since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972. Japanese assistance has supported major infrastructure projects, including Dhaka metro rail, the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and infrastructure development in Matarbari.
Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman visited Japan in 1978 and 1980, while former prime minister Khaleda Zia visited the country in 1994 and 2005.
