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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave Dhaka for Japan tonight on a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, attracting Japanese investment and expanding trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Tarique Rahman will visit Japan from October 26 to 29.
He is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with Takaichi at her office in Tokyo on October 27. The Japanese prime minister will also host a luncheon in his honour.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said the visit would provide an opportunity to deepen the existing strategic partnership, accelerate ongoing development projects and explore new avenues for economic cooperation.
A major focus of the visit will be the implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026.
The two sides are expected to discuss expanding access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market, increasing bilateral trade and encouraging Japanese companies to invest in Bangladesh.
The prime minister is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and meet Japanese business leaders to discuss investment opportunities, industrial cooperation and employment generation.
The programme also includes meetings with representatives of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League and the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation.
Tarique Rahman is also expected to meet the heads of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
Bangladesh and Japan are working to finalise several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements.
Proposed areas include agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, skills training, civil aviation, trade, environmental conservation and modernisation of local government institutions.
The discussions are also expected to cover renewable energy, science and technology, digital transformation and capacity building.
Bangladesh is seeking Japanese support for establishing factories, generating employment and developing a skilled workforce.
The two governments also aim to accelerate ongoing infrastructure projects and encourage fresh private-sector investment.
Japan is a major development partner of Bangladesh and has supported key projects, including the Dhaka metro rail, the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and infrastructure development at Matarbari.
The prime minister’s tentative itinerary includes visits to an LNG terminal and a power plant in Chiba Prefecture, the headquarters of UNIQLO and a Toyota factory in Nagoya.
These engagements are expected to provide opportunities to learn about Japan’s industrial, energy and technological capabilities.
Beyond bilateral economic cooperation, the two leaders are expected to discuss regional and international peace and stability, the Rohingya crisis and cooperation in addressing energy challenges.
The visit is also expected to reinforce the strategic partnership established between Bangladesh and Japan in 2023 and strengthen cooperation on shared regional priorities.
Tarique Rahman will be accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and a high-level delegation comprising ministers, advisers, senior officials and other representatives.
