Tokyo Hopes to Boost Investment and Economic Cooperation During Tarique Rahman’s Japan Visit

Tokyo expects Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Japan to expand economic cooperation, attract new investment and increase bilateral trade. Japan is placing particular emphasis on cooperation to improve Bangladesh’s investment climate, develop infrastructure, promote industrialisation and create jobs.

At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Tarique Rahman will visit Japan from October 26 to 29. This will be his first visit to Japan since assuming office as prime minister. A high-level bilateral meeting between the two prime ministers is scheduled to take place in Tokyo on October 27, the second day of the visit. The Japanese prime minister will host a luncheon in honour of her Bangladeshi counterpart.

The economic division of the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka said Japan hopes the visit will further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Noting that the new government’s business-friendly policies are increasing investor interest in Bangladesh, the embassy emphasised improving the investment climate, expanding infrastructure cooperation, and strengthening human resources and institutional capacity.

During the visit, the prime minister will deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum. He will also meet Japanese business leaders to discuss investment opportunities, trade expansion and industrial cooperation. Meetings are also planned with senior officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

Establishing Japanese factories in Bangladesh, creating employment, transferring technology and developing a skilled workforce are expected to receive particular attention during the visit. Discussions are also expected to cover implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026, and ways to expand access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said memorandums of understanding could be signed, or announcements of cooperation could be made, in several areas, including agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, civil aviation, trade, environmental conservation and the modernisation of local government.

Alongside bilateral economic discussions, the two sides may also focus on a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, regional stability and energy security.

Japan has been one of Bangladesh’s major development partners since independence. With Japanese assistance, several important projects are being implemented, including Dhaka’s metro rail system, the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and infrastructure development in the Matarbari area.

According to the Japanese Embassy, effective implementation of decisions taken during the high-level talks could boost investor confidence and pave the way for new economic initiatives.

The visit is therefore being viewed as an important opportunity to transform the longstanding partnership between the two countries into more effective economic cooperation.