Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, describing Bangladesh as a friend that shares the values of democracy and the rule of law. She pledged strong support for his government’s nation-building efforts.
At a summit in Tokyo, Japan also projected up to $6.5 billion in private investment in Bangladesh over the next five years, with the investment expected to create 200,000 jobs.
The two countries signed five cooperation documents.
These include a memorandum of cooperation between Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division; separate memoranda between Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Bangladesh’s ministries of agriculture and fisheries and livestock; a memorandum of cooperation on the environment between Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and a letter of intent between Japan’s Global Environment Bureau and Bangladesh’s Department of Environment under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
In a post on X after the summit, Takaichi wrote, “As a friend who shares values such as 'democracy' and the 'rule of law,' I was truly delighted to personally congratulate Prime Minister Rahman on his inauguration.”
She said Japan would strongly support the nation-building initiatives of the Bangladesh government formed following democratic general elections.
“Japan will strongly support the nation-building efforts of the Rahman administration, which was formed following 'democratic general elections,” she said.
Takaichi also highlighted Bangladesh’s strategic importance to Japan’s vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), noting its geographical position connecting South and Southeast Asia.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B), a cornerstone of bilateral economic cooperation. The initiative will be elevated into a new strategic cooperation framework titled “Sharing Prosperity BIG-B” under their leadership.
Takaichi described Bangladesh as a large, youthful market of 170 million people with growing importance for Japan’s economy.
“Bangladesh, which connects Southeast Asia and South Asia, holds immense importance for Japan's economy,” she said.
Rahman recalled Japan’s longstanding friendship with Bangladesh and its early recognition of the country’s independence. He also expressed appreciation for Japan’s contributions to Bangladesh’s development and described Japan as a special partner for the Bangladeshi people.
According to Takaichi, Rahman particularly acknowledged Japan’s history as a peace-loving nation and its enduring support for Bangladesh since independence.
The Japanese prime minister said the two countries would work closely through government and private-sector initiatives to strengthen their strategic partnership.
She said the joint statement issued after the summit would guide future bilateral cooperation.
“Under our two countries' 'strategic partnership'—and in light of the 'Joint Statement by the Leaders' announced today—we will work together through government and private-sector initiatives between our nations,” she wrote.
Takaichi reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with Rahman to promote peace, stability and shared prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Toward peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, I will closely collaborate with Prime Minister Rahman,” she said.
A joint statement issued by the two countries on Tuesday outlined plans to develop the Matarbari area as a regional industrial hub, advance bilateral trade, explore Bangladesh’s entry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and strengthen maritime security cooperation.
A central element is upgrading the BIG-B initiative to “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity”. It aims to link power, energy, deep-sea port, industrial and information and communications technology infrastructure to strengthen supply chains and expand trade.
The initiative seeks to establish a major hub for industrial value chains and position Bangladesh as a trade and supply gateway. The statement also highlights connectivity, resilience against natural disasters and geopolitical uncertainty, public-private partnerships, and regional peace and stability.
The leaders agreed to develop the Matarbari–Maheshkhali area into a “major hub for logistics, energy and industry”, centred on the Matarbari Deep Sea Port.
They also agreed to advance preparatory work for the early operationalisation of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
On trade, the leaders welcomed the signing of the Japan–Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and called for its early entry into force. They said it could promote trade, investment and industrial diversification while supporting Bangladesh’s “smooth, sustainable, and resilient transition” from least-developed country status.
Japan also expressed readiness to continue discussions on Bangladesh’s request to join the RCEP, a major regional trade agreement.
The two countries agreed to deepen defence cooperation amid an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. They welcomed the signing and entry into force of an agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology. The declaration identifies maritime situation awareness, coastal patrol and port security as areas for further cooperation.
Energy security was another priority. The statement welcomed a 50 billion yen emergency support loan, worth about $330 million, to strengthen economic resilience and ensure stable energy supplies. It is the first yen-loan project under Japan’s Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia programme.
Takaichi also stressed the need to improve Bangladesh’s investment environment. The joint statement says Rahman committed to facilitating investment by improving transparency and predictability in taxation, customs clearance, remittances and licensing procedures.
The leaders discussed regional security, including the crisis in Myanmar and its impact on displaced Rohingya people and cross-border crime. They called for an immediate end to violence, humanitarian access and dialogue among the parties.
Both leaders said the ultimate solution to the Rohingya crisis was the “voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return” of displaced people, including the Rohingya, to Myanmar.
The statement also called for the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the safe, unimpeded passage of vessels “without any additional costs”, citing the importance of maritime routes to global energy security and trade.
Briefing reporters at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo after the summit, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Rahman had emphasised Bangladesh’s national interests in strengthening ties with Japan, prioritising development projects and investment that could create jobs.
He said Japan’s private sector planned to invest around $6.34 billion in Bangladesh over the next five years, potentially creating about 200,000 jobs.
Kobir said Rahman had stressed the need to prioritise investment in job-generating industries as the government seeks to turn growing international interest in Bangladesh into concrete investment.
The prime minister also sought Japan’s support for a smooth and sustainable graduation 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. Kobir 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.
Japan showed interest in projects involving investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector, a technology-based industrial city and infrastructure, including elevated expressways, he added.
Kobir also referred to Japanese development assistance worth 50 billion yen, equivalent to around $340 million.
Describing the visit as important for creating investment opportunities and strengthening economic ties, he said international partners were showing renewed interest in Bangladesh following the formation of its new democratically elected government. One of the main objectives of the visit was to translate that interest into actual investment.
Rahman’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 were discussing Japanese-language training and skilled workforce development, with the process already at the implementation stage.
On the Rohingya crisis, Kobir said Bangladesh planned to raise the issue prominently in multilateral diplomatic forums next year and hoped Japan would play a positive role.
He described the visit as fruitful, saying the discussions had 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.