PM leaves for Japan on four-day official visit

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka for Tokyo early Monday on a four-day official visit to Japan.

It is his first official visit to Japan, at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi.

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:12am on Monday, his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman told Daily Waadaa.

The flight is scheduled to arrive at Narita International Airport at 9:25 a.m. local time.

During the visit, Tarique will hold high-level bilateral talks with Takaichi, meet representatives of major Japanese companies and development institutions, visit industrial and energy facilities, and deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum.

The premier's visit is expected to deepen the existing strategic partnership, attract fresh Japanese investment, expand trade and accelerate ongoing development projects, he added.

Discussions will focus on the effective implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026, expanding access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market and strengthening business engagement.

The two sides will also explore wider cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, skills development and human resource development. 

The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and meet Japanese business leaders.

Japan has been a major development partner of Bangladesh since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972. Japanese assistance has supported major infrastructure projects, including the Dhaka metro rail, the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and infrastructure development in Matarbari.