Bangladesh and Japan are set to deepen their strategic partnership during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's scheduled visit to Tokyo from October 26 to 29, officials in Dhaka and Tokyo said. The high‑profile trip is expected to culminate in a joint communiqué and the signing of up to four bilateral agreements.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told a press conference that the visit provides a crucial opportunity to expand bilateral ties, adding that "the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan in February 2026 has created new opportunities for expanding trade and investment."

Japan’s foreign ministry echoed the sentiment, stating that the visit will further strengthen the "Strategic Partnership" between the two nations, highlighting shared values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and advancing the updated Free and Open Indo‑Pacific agenda.

Siam indicated that Bangladesh is discussing around eight memorandums of understanding with Japan, with three to four likely to be signed during the visit. Draft agreements cover cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, civil aviation, trade, environmental protection and modernisation of local government.

Infrastructure cooperation will also be on the agenda, including discussions on the metro rail project and the possibility of reducing interest rates on loans taken from Japan, the foreign secretary added.

According to the preliminary itinerary, Prime Minister Rahman will hold high‑level bilateral talks with the Japanese prime minister on the second day, October 27, and attend a luncheon hosted by the Japanese leader, alongside meetings with government and private‑sector representatives and visits to key facilities.

The visit underscores Bangladesh’s intent to broaden economic and strategic links with Japan, positioning the partnership as a cornerstone of its regional diplomatic outreach.

Why it matters

The agreements will boost Bangladesh’s trade and investment ties with Japan, supporting its economic growth and regional strategic goals.