Dhaka, Tokyo eye opening new doors for cooperation; PM-level talks in Japan on 27 Oct

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi are set to hold bilateral talks in Tokyo on 27 October to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic partnerships and increase investment.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam briefed reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (20 October) on various aspects of the upcoming visit, scheduled for 26-29 October.

"It is expected that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan will be further strengthened. New doors will open in the relationship, and fresh private investment will come to Bangladesh from Japan," he said.

Siam said both sides were discussing the signing of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the visit.

Draft MoUs on agriculture, fisheries, human resource development and skills development, domestic aviation, trade, environmental conservation, and the modernisation of local government are currently under discussion.

"We hope that many of these MoUs will be signed during the visit," the foreign secretary said.

Siam said the visit would create opportunities to accelerate and complete ongoing projects.

Commercial partnerships would be reinforced, the volume of economic and development assistance would increase, and security cooperation would continue, he said.

There is also potential for Japanese support in establishing factories in Bangladesh, creating employment opportunities and developing human resources.

Beyond bilateral relations, the two leaders will also discuss global issues.

"It is hoped that the two countries will initiate fruitful discussions on peace and stability in the regional and international arenas, a lasting and peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, strengthening mutual cooperation to resolve the global energy crisis, and jointly playing a role in ending international conflicts," the foreign secretary said.

He described the current relationship between the two countries as a strategic partnership.

Under this framework, various cooperative activities, including infrastructure development in Bangladesh, technological advancement, human resource development and security cooperation, are ongoing.

"We hope these activities will further increase through this visit," Siam said.

Against the backdrop of the existing strategic cooperation, he said the upcoming visit offered a timely opportunity to deepen and broaden ties between the two countries.

In particular, the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan in February 2026 had opened up new possibilities for expanding trade and investment, he said.

The prime minister will deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum.

The prime minister is also expected to visit an LNG terminal and power plant in Futtsu City, Chiba; the headquarters of Uniqlo; and the Toyota plant in Nagoya, Japan.