PM leaves for Japan

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is heading to Japan on a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, attracting fresh Japanese investment and expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.

The visit will run from October 26 to 29 at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The prime minister is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with Takaichi in Tokyo on October 27.

The discussions are expected to focus on trade and investment, infrastructure development, energy cooperation, regional connectivity and other issues of mutual interest.

The visit is expected to open new avenues for cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, renewable energy, science and technology, digital transformation, skills development and human resource development.

The two countries are also preparing to sign several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as trade, civil aviation, environmental conservation and local government modernisation.

A key priority will be the implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026, to expand bilateral trade and improve access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market.

During the visit, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and meet Japanese business leaders to discuss investment opportunities.

He is also expected to visit an LNG terminal and power plant in Chiba, the headquarters of UNIQLO and a Toyota factory in Nagoya.

The two sides are also expected to discuss Japanese support for establishing factories in Bangladesh, creating employment opportunities and developing skilled human resources. Regional and international security, the Rohingya crisis and energy cooperation are likely to feature in the discussions.

Japan remains one of Bangladesh’s major development partners, contributing to key infrastructure projects, including Dhaka’s metro rail and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The prime minister is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on October 29.

The visit is expected to strengthen the longstanding partnership and create fresh opportunities for trade, investment and economic development.