Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Tokyo on Monday morning on a four-day official visit to Japan at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, with a focus on 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 delegation 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 subsequently escorted him to Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, where he is scheduled to stay during the visit.

The 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 Rahman departed Dhaka aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight early Monday morning, Bangladesh time, accompanied by a delegation.

High-Level Talks on October 27
According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold high-level 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 four-day visit, the prime minister is also scheduled to 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.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said at a media briefing on October 20 that the visit is expected to strengthen the existing strategic partnership, attract new Japanese investment, expand bilateral trade and accelerate ongoing development projects.

Trade, Investment and Economic Partnership
A key focus of the discussions will be the effective implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026. Both sides are expected to explore ways to increase access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market and strengthen commercial engagement.

The two countries will also discuss expanded cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, skills development and human resource development.

The prime minister’s tentative itinerary 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 being 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.

Visits to Industrial and Energy Facilities
As part of the visit, the prime minister is expected to tour an LNG terminal and a power plant in Futtsu City, Chiba, as well as the headquarters of UNIQLO and a Toyota factory in Nagoya.

According to the foreign secretary, the two countries 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 on education and human resource development are also being pursued.

The two sides are expected to hold detailed discussions on Japanese support for establishing factories in Bangladesh, creating employment opportunities and developing skilled human resources in line with the prime minister’s priorities.

Regional Issues and Energy Cooperation
Regional and international peace and stability are also expected to feature in the discussions. Other key issues include a sustainable and peaceful resolution to the Rohingya crisis, cooperation in addressing energy challenges and efforts to resolve international conflicts.

The visit follows Tarique Rahman’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-Bangladesh Relations
Japan has been a major development partner of Bangladesh since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972. Japanese assistance has supported several major infrastructure projects, including the Dhaka metro rail, the third terminal of 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.

The current visit is expected to build on the longstanding partnership between the two countries, with particular emphasis on investment, trade, industrial development and cooperation in emerging economic sectors.

Sun News/ rabbi