PM’s Tokyo Visit Opens New Chapter in Five-Decade Bangladesh-Japan Friendship, Unlocking Diverse Economic Partnership Opportunities

Bangladesh and Japan have built a strong relationship based on trust, friendship and mutual cooperation over more than five decades since Bangladesh’s independence. Japan’s continued support in infrastructure, trade, investment, energy, technology, human resource development and social security has played an important role in Bangladesh’s development. Against the backdrop of changing global economic conditions and regional geopolitics, the relationship now has an opportunity to expand into a broader economic and strategic partnership. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Japan from October 26 to 29 has brought new areas of cooperation into focus.

Professor Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam, chairman of the Department of Japanese Studies at the University of Dhaka, said the diplomatic relationship between the two countries had moved beyond a donor-recipient model over the past five decades and developed into a new form of strategic partnership. Cooperation in education, economics and political economy is important to both countries. His assessment highlights the growing depth of bilateral relations and the potential for cooperation in a wider range of sectors.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Tokyo at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. During the visit, discussions are expected to focus on expanding trade, attracting Japanese investment, ensuring energy security, transferring technology and increasing the export of skilled workers. The programme also includes a courtesy meeting with Japanese Emperor Naruhito and discussions with Japanese business leaders and investors.

A major Japanese company has already visited Dhaka and expressed interest in investing in new sectors. Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humayun Kabir, said the main priorities of the prime minister’s Tokyo visit would be to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic ties and increase investment. His remarks reflect Bangladesh’s interest in turning its longstanding friendship with Japan into new economic opportunities.

Japan’s contribution to Bangladesh’s infrastructure development is one of the most visible aspects of the relationship. Japanese financing and technical assistance have supported major projects, including the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge, the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Dhaka Metro Rail, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the Jamuna Railway Bridge and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. These projects are helping modernise transport networks, improve cargo movement and expand commercial activities.

According to Japanese government data, by fiscal year 2023, Japan had provided Bangladesh with approximately 3.3618 trillion yen in loan assistance, 518.4 billion yen in grants and 108.1 billion yen in technical cooperation. According to OECD Development Assistance Committee figures for 2024, Japan was Bangladesh’s largest bilateral development partner. This long-term cooperation has transformed the relationship from diplomatic engagement into a practical development partnership.

Trade and foreign direct investment are the next major areas of economic cooperation. The proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries could expand market access, strengthen business links and create new investment opportunities.

Kazuyuki Kataoka, the newly elected president of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), said the chamber would work to highlight Japan’s longstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s trade, investment and infrastructure development while promoting business expansion across different sectors. He also stressed the importance of using the experience of around 400 member companies to increase seminars, business networking and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

A senior official at the Japanese Embassy told The Daily Inqilab that the embassy must follow official protocols and obtain prior approval before making immediate or direct comments to the media. Even a brief statement requires formal authorisation. The embassy can provide an official response only after the head of its public relations and cultural wing grants permission by email.

Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi described the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement as an important milestone in bilateral economic relations. He said the agreement would create opportunities to strengthen economic ties further. Noting that several Japanese investment initiatives were under consideration, he expressed hope that they would be implemented in due course. He also stressed the importance of diversifying industries, developing supporting industries, removing unnecessary regulatory barriers and creating jobs for young people.

Outgoing JBCCI president Tarek Rafi Bhuiyan highlighted the need for timely ratification and effective implementation of the agreement. He urged businesses to prepare to take advantage of the opportunities it would create.

On Monday, Kazuyuki Kataoka was announced as the new president of JBCCI for the October 2026–September 2028 term. The chamber’s Secretary-General, Rabiul Alam, said the new board would build on the strong foundation established by the previous leadership and work to make the most of the growing trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Recent discussions with Marubeni Corporation offer another example of growing interest in Japanese investment. A delegation led by the company’s president and chief executive officer, Masayuki Omoto, met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and expressed interest in investing in various sectors in Bangladesh. Discussions covered potential cooperation in information technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fertilisers and energy.

The prime minister said the government was working to create a favourable environment for domestic and foreign investment to realise the country’s economic potential and generate employment. He welcomed Marubeni Corporation’s interest in investing in Bangladesh’s information technology, fertiliser and energy sectors.

The discussions also covered the possibility of establishing an artificial intelligence-based data centre in Bangladesh, introducing modern technologies in agriculture and expanding existing investment in the Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company. The possibility of establishing a second KAFCO fertiliser plant was also discussed. In addition, the two sides considered ways to equip Bangladeshi engineering graduates with skills in information technology and cybersecurity. If implemented, these initiatives could create new opportunities by combining Japanese technology and investment with Bangladesh’s young workforce.

Fumiya Kokubu, chairman of the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Cooperation Committee, said 85 per cent of Japanese companies operating in Bangladesh expected the Economic Partnership Agreement to be signed by the end of 2026. He also stressed the need to reform Bangladesh’s tax policies.

Meanwhile, Norihiko Ishiguro, chairman and chief executive of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), highlighted Bangladesh’s economic potential and emerging investment opportunities as important factors attracting Japanese investors. Their comments reflect growing interest among business communities in both countries in Bangladesh’s market and investment prospects.

Energy cooperation is another important area for future partnership. Bangladesh’s Offshore Bidding Round 2026 offers opportunities to explore oil and gas in 26 blocks in the Bay of Bengal. There is also scope to expand cooperation in energy security, technology and long-term supply arrangements. Discussions with Marubeni Corporation on investment in energy and fertilisers, along with efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s engineering and technological capacity, demonstrate the broadening nature of bilateral economic ties.

Professor S. M. Ali Reza, a teacher at the Department of Political Science at the University of Dhaka, said Bangladesh-Japan relations held strategic importance amid changing geopolitical conditions in South Asia. He noted that cooperation could expand further in line with Japan’s Indo-Pacific vision and Bangladesh’s economic transformation.

Beyond economic cooperation, Japan continues to support Bangladesh in healthcare, human security and the development of democratic institutions. On October 6, the Japanese government signed a grant agreement worth $145,000 with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), to expand tuberculosis screening in Dhaka’s slum areas. The funding will be used to procure a Toyota Land Cruiser and a portable digital X-ray unit. The project aims to provide tuberculosis screening services to around 9,000 people annually.

Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi said Japan placed particular importance on human security to protect people’s lives and dignity. He added that the commitment was being put into practice by extending essential healthcare services to people who otherwise had limited access to them.

Japan is also supporting Bangladesh’s electoral process. Under an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Japan plans to provide a grant of 695 million yen to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the Bangladesh Election Commission. The assistance is intended to support voter and civic education, increase the participation of women and young people, and improve transparency in the electoral process.

Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin welcomed the assistance, saying it would help strengthen the commission’s capacity to conduct elections while upholding public trust and democratic values. UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Stefan Liller also described Japan’s support as a new source of strength for the shared goal of holding peaceful and credible elections.

Research, education and the marine economy also offer opportunities for greater cooperation. Dr Mohammad Imdadul Haque, a senior scientific officer at the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, said Japan’s advanced laboratories and technologies were helping improve the quality of agricultural and scientific research in Bangladesh.

Similarly, Dr K. M. Azam Chowdhury, director of ICOG, highlighted the potential for joint research in marine science, environmental monitoring and disaster management. He said Japan’s experience in coastal management and environmental protection could contribute significantly to the development of Bangladesh’s blue economy.

Japan is also providing Bangladesh with emergency loan assistance of approximately $312 million to help address the effects of energy supply uncertainty and rising prices. An agreement on the loan was signed yesterday to strengthen economic resilience and ensure a stable energy supply.

According to a press release from the Japanese Embassy, Ambassador Saida Shinichi and Economic Relations Division Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiki signed the exchange of notes on behalf of their respective governments. Later, JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Takahashi Junko and the ERD secretary signed the loan agreement. The assistance is intended to help Bangladesh deal with the crisis caused by the worsening situation in the Middle East and adds another important dimension to bilateral relations.

In the labour market, Bangladesh and Japan have also faced challenges. During the previous authoritarian period, syndicates, policy weaknesses and the lack of a coordinated system for technical and language training limited Bangladesh’s success in exporting workers to Japan. The subsequent interim government also failed to overcome the stagnation because of bureaucratic complications and a lack of effective action.

However, since the current BNP government took office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s initiatives, closer diplomatic engagement, the introduction of Japanese language and technical courses at technical training centres, and commitments of support from the Japanese government and business federations have created new opportunities. These developments are expected to expand access for Bangladeshi workers to Japan’s labour market, support economic growth and help reduce unemployment.

Geopolitical and economic researchers believe Bangladesh-Japan relations are moving beyond their historical foundation of development assistance towards broader cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, human resources and regional affairs. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Tokyo is an important opportunity to strengthen this partnership further and turn the growing interest in bilateral cooperation into concrete economic benefits.