Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stepped up Bangladesh’s economic diplomacy in Japan, seeking greater investment in industrial and technology sectors, expanded trade, technology transfer and cooperation in fertiliser production as his government looks to strengthen economic ties with one of the country’s longstanding development partners.
In separate meetings with Japanese political leaders, business representatives and development officials in Tokyo on Monday, Tarique highlighted investment opportunities, regulatory reforms and public-private partnerships, while seeking continued concessional financing, technical assistance and budgetary support to address Bangladesh’s development priorities and energy security.
He also urged Japan to maintain its support for the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
The discussions took place at Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel shortly after the prime minister arrived for a four-day official visit, with both sides emphasising the need to translate longstanding bilateral relations into increased investment, employment, technology transfer and broader economic cooperation.
Investment and trade ties
At a meeting with a delegation of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL), led by former Japanese prime minister Taro Aso, Tarique outlined his government’s efforts to create a more business-friendly environment through regulatory reforms, simplified investment approvals and improvements in education and skills development.
He sought Aso’s support for expanding bilateral trade and Japanese investment following the signing of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in February 2026.
Tarique also raised the Rohingya crisis, seeking Japan’s continued cooperation in securing the refugees’ safe, voluntary and dignified return to Myanmar.
Bangladesh hosts a large Rohingya refugee population and continues to call for sustained international engagement to achieve a durable solution.
The prime minister thanked Aso for his longstanding contribution to bilateral relations through the parliamentary friendship league, recalling their meeting in Japan in 2006, when Tarique was the senior joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Aso expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s investment prospects, citing its large young population and what he described as prevailing political stability as factors that could attract foreign investors.
He said Japanese companies were highly interested in investing in Bangladesh.
Tarique invited Aso and other league members to visit Bangladesh to strengthen parliamentary engagement and bilateral cooperation.
Senior Japanese lawmakers and Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tatsunori Ibayashi attended the meeting.
Bangladesh’s delegation included Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humaiun Kobir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, and other senior officials.
Industrial expansion
In a separate meeting at 3.45pm local time with Masumi Kakinoki, chairman of Marubeni Corporation and the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation, Tarique focused on attracting investment to priority sectors and expanding Bangladesh’s industrial capacity.
The discussions covered information and communication technology, renewable energy, automobiles, semiconductors, agro-processing and advanced manufacturing.
Tarique said Japanese technology, expertise and experience could accelerate Bangladesh’s industrialisation, create employment and support economic growth.
He highlighted opportunities for foreign direct investment and public-private partnerships, reaffirming his government’s commitment to regulatory reforms and easier investment approvals.
A key proposal involved Japanese cooperation in modernising Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company Limited (KAFCO) and assessing the feasibility of establishing a second fertiliser plant in Bangladesh.
The initiative could strengthen domestic fertiliser supplies and agricultural input security, although no project cost, implementation schedule or investment commitment was announced.
The prime minister also sought Marubeni’s support for developing the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), which could offer Japanese manufacturers a platform to expand their operations.
Kakinoki expressed hope that effective implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan EPA would boost trade, attract investment and create new business opportunities.
Loans and energy security
In a separate meeting with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president Dr Tanaka Akihiko, Tarique sought continued concessional loans, expanded technical cooperation and budgetary support to help Bangladesh meet its development priorities and strengthen energy security.
JICA Senior Vice-President Hara Shohei and other senior officials attended the meeting, according to a post on the Prime Minister’s Office Facebook page.
Tarique recalled his discussions with Tanaka during the latter’s visit to Dhaka in July and expressed gratitude for Japan’s longstanding development assistance and JICA’s contribution to Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress.
He said Japanese cooperation had played an important role in developing infrastructure and advancing the country’s broader development aspirations, stressing the need to sustain the partnership to improve living standards.
The two sides discussed the timely completion of major projects being implemented with Japanese assistance and ways to expedite approval and implementation of priority projects awaiting clearance.
Tarique emphasised the need for continued concessional financing and technical assistance aligned with Bangladesh’s current development needs.
Bangladesh also proposed expanding cooperation in emerging areas, including a Bangladesh-Japan Skills Partnership, a Technological Village and Innovation City, agricultural modernisation, agro-processing and light engineering.
The proposals reflect Dhaka’s interest in moving beyond conventional infrastructure development towards skills training, technology transfer and greater productive capacity.
The prime minister also requested budgetary support from Japan, similar to that provided last year, to help Bangladesh meet its energy needs and safeguard energy security amid the prevailing global energy situation.
Bilateral talks Tuesday
Tarique arrived in Tokyo at 9.07am local time on Monday aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and a high-level delegation.
He is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday, with economic cooperation, trade and regional issues expected to feature in the discussions.