Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Tokyo on Monday for a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening ties with Japan, 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 entourage landed at Narita International Airport at 9:07 am local time.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasutaka Nakasone received him at the airport. A motorcade then escorted him to Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, where he will stay during the visit.
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.
The prime minister left Dhaka early Monday aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, accompanied by a small delegation.
Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at her office on October 27, followed by a joint press announcement and a luncheon hosted by the Japanese premier, according to the Prime Minister’s press wing.
During the four-day visit, Rahman will meet Japanese government officials, development institutions and business leaders, visit industrial and energy facilities, and deliver the keynote address at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum.
The visit is expected to strengthen the strategic partnership, attract Japanese investment, expand trade and accelerate development projects, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told journalists at a briefing on October 20.
Discussions will focus on implementing the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026, expanding access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market and strengthening business ties.
The two sides will also explore cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, skills development and human resource development.
The tentative programme includes engagements with the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League and the chairman of the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation.
Meetings are also 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, Siam said.
The itinerary includes visits to an LNG terminal and power plant in Futtsu City, Chiba, UNIQLO headquarters and a Toyota factory in Nagoya.
The two countries are discussing draft memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements covering agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, skills enhancement, civil aviation, trade, environmental conservation and local government modernisation.
"We hope that many of these MoUs will be signed during the visit," Siam said.
Around eight MoUs are under discussion, of which three to four could be signed during the visit. Separate agreements are also being pursued in education and human resource development.
The talks will also cover Japanese support for establishing factories in Bangladesh, creating jobs and developing human resources in line with the prime minister’s priorities.
The two sides are expected to discuss regional and international peace and stability, a sustainable and peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis, energy cooperation and efforts to end international conflicts.
The visit follows Rahman’s participation in an online meeting in April at Takaichi’s invitation, during which Bangladesh welcomed a Japan-led initiative to address energy challenges across Asia.
Japan has been a major development partner of Bangladesh since diplomatic relations were established in 1972. Japanese assistance has supported 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 in 1994 and 2005.
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