Bangladesh Prime Minister Rahman is visiting Japan for the first time since his election in February. The two leaders addressed a joint news conference on Tuesday before releasing a joint statement detailing new bilateral agreements.
Tokyo and Dhaka welcomed efforts to promote foreign direct investment. The joint statement cited a projection of upcoming private investment from Japan to Bangladesh up to one trillion yen, equivalent to approximately six billion dollars, which is expected to create two hundred thousand jobs in Bangladesh over the next five years.
Japan is Bangladesh’s largest bilateral development partner and a major export destination. Trade between the two nations totals around four billion dollars. The countries upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership in 2023.
Bangladesh is currently seeking investment and low-interest loans from Japan to cope with economic hardship. This financial strain follows conflicts in the Middle East.
During the talks, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi told Rahman that Japan will strongly support Bangladesh’s autonomy and resilience. Takaichi added that Japan looks forward to contributing to regional peace and prosperity.
Rahman invited Japanese businesses and financial institutions to explore opportunities in Bangladesh. The partnership between the two nations has been built on decades of friendship, trust, and mutual respect, according to the Bangladeshi leader.
The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in energy security and supply chains. They reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral security cooperation amid an uncertain geopolitical environment and welcomed the entry into force of an agreement regarding the transfer of defense equipment and technology.
Earlier this month, the two governments signed an agreement to begin recruiting Bangladeshi workers starting next April. The program provides legal protections for Bangladeshi workers entering the Japanese labor market.
On regional issues, both leaders expressed concern over the worsening crisis in Myanmar and its impact on security and displacement. They stated that the ultimate solution to the Rohingya crisis is to realize a voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of displaced persons to Myanmar.
The leaders reiterated their commitment to promoting peace in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for early de-escalation and the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for safe vessel transit without additional costs. They also recognised the strategic importance of maintaining stability in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for global energy security.
