Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized Bangladesh’s national interests in strengthening ties with Japan, prioritising development projects and investment that can create jobs, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Tuesday.
Briefing reporters at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo after the prime minister’s bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Kobir said the talks focused on boosting trade, investment and economic cooperation and advancing strategic projects.
He said Japan’s private sector plans to invest around $6.34 billion in Bangladesh over the next five years, potentially creating employment opportunities for about 200,000 people.
The state minister said Tarique stressed the need for giving priority to investment in industries capable of generating jobs, as the government seeks to turn growing international interest in Bangladesh into concrete investment.
He said the two countries also discussed expediting the implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which was signed in February 2026.
The prime minister sought Japan’s support to ensure a smooth and sustainable graduation of Bangladesh from the least developed country (LDC) category, Kobir said.
Bangladesh sought an additional three years to prepare for LDC graduation, citing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, long-standing economic challenges and the recent global energy crisis, he said.
The state minister said Bangladesh urged Japan to give serious consideration to the request.
He said the two sides also discussed establishing a ministerial-level joint mechanism to accelerate bilateral cooperation, identify priority sectors, set specific timelines and regularly review progress.
Kobir said Japan showed interest in projects involving investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector, the development of a technology-based industrial city and infrastructure, including elevated expressways.
He also referred to Japanese development assistance worth 50 billion yen, equivalent to around $340 million.
Describing the visit as important for creating new investment opportunities and strengthening economic ties, the state minister said international partners are showing renewed interest in Bangladesh following the formation of its new democratically elected government.
He said one of the main objectives of the visit is to translate that interest into actual investment.
The prime minister’s visits to Japanese energy infrastructure and logistics facilities also offered opportunities to learn from Japan’s experience, particularly in LNG terminal development and modern logistics management, Kobir added.
Replying to a question about employment opportunities for Bangladeshi students and workers in Japan, he said the two countries are discussing Japanese-language training and the development of skilled manpower, with a process already at the implementation stage.
On the Rohingya crisis, the state minister said Bangladesh plans to raise the issue prominently in multilateral diplomatic forums next year and hopes for a positive role from Japan.
He described the prime minister’s visit as fruitful, saying the constructive discussions between the two leaders opened up new possibilities for Bangladesh’s development, industrialisation and job creation.
Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin were also present at the briefing.