TOKYO, Oct. 27 — Characterizing Japan as a time-tested and dependable development partner spanning over five decades, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman declared on Tuesday that the bilateral relationship has reached an opportune moment to elevate into a comprehensive strategic partnership across trade, investment, and infrastructure.
The remarks were delivered during a joint press briefing following formal summit-level discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Tuesday morning.
Addressing correspondents, Prime Minister Rahman emphasized the profound goodwill the people of Bangladesh harbor for Japan, highlighting that bilateral relations are anchored in mutual trust, respect, and a shared dedication to regional stability and prosperity. He noted that Japan was among the earliest nations to grant diplomatic recognition to Bangladesh following its 1971 Liberation War, subsequently serving as the country’s most reliable bilateral development partner in driving socioeconomic transformation and landmark infrastructure projects.
The bilateral summit yielded constructive dialogue on regional security, global developments, and economic cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed commitments to accelerate collaboration across power and energy, information and communication technology (ICT), modernized rail transit, deep-sea port development, and increased Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI). Multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the state visit, with comprehensive details to be outlined in a forthcoming joint communiqué.
Urging Japanese enterprise leaders to capitalize on emerging opportunities, the prime minister highlighted Bangladesh’s competitive industrial climate, inviting leading corporations to expand investments in manufacturing, technology transfer, and workforce skilling.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his spouse Dr. Zubaida Rahman, arrived at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport on Monday morning for the four-day state visit, where they received an official reception from Japanese dignitaries. The first day of the visit included meetings with a parliamentary delegation led by former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League, alongside separate discussions with leadership from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Marubeni Corporation, focused on scaling private-sector investments within Bangladesh’s special economic zones.