Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi today (Tuesday) paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban here.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to further strengthen the longstanding relations between the two countries and cooperation in various fields, including infrastructure, trade and investment, human resource development, agriculture, energy and employment, President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told BSS.

The Japanese ambassador handed over to President Mirza Fakhrul Islam a congratulatory message from Japanese Emperor Naruhito on his assumption of office as President of Bangladesh.

In the message, Emperor Naruhito conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and good wishes to the President, while wishing happiness and success for the people of Bangladesh.

The President sincerely thanked the Emperor for the congratulatory message and conveyed his heartfelt greetings and gratitude to him and the people of Japan.

The President wished the Emperor good health, well-being and longevity.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam expressed gratitude for Japan's longstanding friendship and development partnership with Bangladesh and appreciated Japan's cooperation in various infrastructure development projects in Bangladesh, including Dhaka Metro Rail and the Meghna Bridge.

He also expressed hope that the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport would be opened soon with Japan's cooperation in its operation and management.

The ambassador assured him that the work would be completed soon.

The President thanked Japan for providing employment opportunities to Bangladeshi workers in Japan and called upon Japan to explore the possibility of establishing vocational training institutions in Bangladesh.

He urged Japan to further increase scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students.

He also called for Japanese investment in various regions of the country, particularly in the northern region, in sectors including fruit and crop production and agricultural product processing.

The ambassador expressed interest in this regard and reiterated Japan's interest in further expanding economic cooperation with Bangladesh.

The ambassador also expressed Japan's interest in supporting Bangladesh in ensuring energy security and addressing volatility in the international energy market.

Appreciating Japan's humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas, the President sought Japan's support for their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.

The President thanked the ambassador for his role in strengthening Bangladesh-Japan relations and reiterated his commitment to elevating the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries to a strategic partnership.

Recalling the visits of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to Japan in 1978 and 1980 and the official visit of then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in 2005, he said those visits played an important role in strengthening bilateral relations.

The ambassador expressed satisfaction with Bangladesh's recent progress and political transition and expressed Japan's interest in continuing cooperation with the current government.

The President's Military Secretary, Secretary, Press Secretary and an Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present during the meeting.