Takaichi Warmly Welcomes Tarique Rahman in Tokyo
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warmly welcomed Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Kantei, the Japanese prime minister’s office in Tokyo, at 11:30 am local time on Tuesday. Before their bilateral summit, Ms. Takaichi formally welcomed PM Tarique Rahman with the aim of strengthening relations between the two countries, expanding trade and investment, and deepening mutual cooperation.
A well-dressed contingent of Japan’s armed forces accorded PM Tarique Rahman a guard of honour. The national anthems of Japan and Bangladesh were played, and the Bangladesh prime minister inspected the guard. The two prime ministers stood side by side during the ceremony.
After the reception, PM Tarique Rahman introduced members of his delegation to the Japanese prime minister. Ms. Takaichi, in turn, introduced members of her cabinet to the Bangladesh prime minister. After the introductions, PM Tarique Rahman signed the visitors’ book at the entrance to the main hall of the building. The two leaders then held a one-on-one meeting.
The two prime ministers are scheduled to hold a joint press conference at noon to share the outcomes of their discussions. Ms. Takaichi has also arranged a luncheon at the Kantei in honour of PM Tarique Rahman. At the beginning of the luncheon, the Japanese prime minister will deliver a brief welcome address and propose a toast. The Bangladesh prime minister will respond with an address and a reciprocal toast.
The summit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, increasing Japanese cooperation in key sectors, and exchanging views on regional and international issues. Meanwhile, the national flags of Bangladesh and Japan have been displayed along both sides of the long road leading to the prime minister’s office in Tokyo to welcome the Bangladesh prime minister.
Four-day visit to Japan
During his four-day visit, PM Tarique Rahman will deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and hold meetings with Japanese business leaders. At the invitation of Ms. Takaichi, PM Tarique Rahman arrived in Tokyo on Monday morning. Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasutaka Nakasone welcomed him at Narita International Airport.
On the first day of his visit, the Bangladesh prime minister held separate meetings with a high-level parliamentary delegation led by former Japanese prime minister Taro Aso, Marubeni Corporation Chairman Masumi Kakinoki, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr Akihiko Tanaka.
During his meeting with Mr. Aso, PM Tarique Rahman recalled their meeting in Japan in 2006. He acknowledged Mr. Aso’s contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and invited him to visit Bangladesh again, according to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir.
At the meeting with Marubeni Corporation Chairman Masumi Kakinoki, discussions focused on expanding trade and investment, implementing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and exploring Japanese investment opportunities in information and communication technology, energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The prime minister also discussed the modernisation of the Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) and the possibility of establishing a second fertilizer factory in Bangladesh. During his meeting with JICA President Dr Akihiko Tanaka, PM Tarique Rahman discussed continued Japanese support for infrastructure and economic development projects, accelerating the implementation of ongoing projects, and establishing a Bangladesh-Japan skills partnership.
The proposal to establish a technology village and an innovation city also came up for discussion. Modernising agriculture, agro-processing, light engineering, and energy security were also key issues at the meeting.
Bangladesh delegation
Members of the Bangladesh delegation accompanying the prime minister include his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman; Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury; Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat; Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir; State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir; State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit; and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology, and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad.
Other members of the delegation include Ashik Chowdhury, chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority; Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostakur Rahman; Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, the prime minister’s special assistant for overseas employment in the Asia-Pacific region; Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam; Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury; Economic Relations Division Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiqui; and Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon.
The delegation also includes Azizul Haque Islamabadi, joint secretary-general of Hefazat-e-Islam and acting secretary-general of the Nezam-e-Islam Party, and Md Tarique Rahman, general secretary of the Amjanatar Dal.
Third foreign trip since taking office
This is PM Tarique Rahman’s third foreign visit since he took office on February 17 this year. He previously visited Malaysia and China. He also travelled to New York in September to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
