Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi accorded a warm reception to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at Kantei, the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, on Tuesday (October 27) at 11:30 AM local time.

PM Sanae Takaichi officially welcomed PM Tarique Rahman ahead of a bilateral summit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, and deepening mutual cooperation.

Upon his arrival, a smartly turned-out contingent of the Japanese Armed Forces presented a guard of honor to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister. The national anthems of both countries were played, after which PM Tariq Rahman inspected the guard.

Following the reception ceremony, PM Tariq Rahman introduced his delegation members to the Japanese Prime Minister. PM Takaichi similarly introduced members of her cabinet to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister.

After the official introductions, PM Tariq Rahman signed the visitor's book at the entrance to the main hall before both leaders proceeded into a restricted bilateral meeting.

Following their discussions, the two leaders are scheduled to hold a joint press conference at noon to share the outcomes of the summit.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is hosting a luncheon at Kantei in honor of PM Tarique Rahman. At the beginning of the luncheon, the Japanese Prime Minister will deliver brief welcome remarks and offer a toast, followed by a response and reciprocal toast from the Bangladeshi Prime Minister.

The bilateral summit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, expanding trade and investment, enhancing Japanese assistance in key sectors, and exchanging views on various regional and international issues.

To welcome the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, national flags of Bangladesh and Japan were hoisted along both sides of the main avenue leading to the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo.

During his four-day visit, PM Tarique Rahman will deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and hold meetings with Japanese business leaders.

At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, PM Tariq Rahman arrived in Tokyo on Monday morning (October 26), where he was received at Narita International Airport by Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yasutaka Nakasone.

On the first day of his visit, PM Tariq Rahman held separate meetings with a high-level parliamentary delegation led by former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, Marubeni Corporation Chairman Masumi Kakinoki, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka.

During the meeting with Taro Aso, the Prime Minister recalled their earlier meeting in Japan in 2006. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kabir noted that the Prime Minister acknowledged Aso’s contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and extended an invitation for him to visit Bangladesh again.

In discussions with Marubeni Corporation Chairman Masumi Kakinoki, key topics included trade and investment expansion, the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and potential Japanese investments in ICT, energy, and advanced manufacturing. The Prime Minister also discussed modernizing Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) and exploring the establishment of a second fertilizer factory in Bangladesh.

In his meeting with JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, the Prime Minister discussed continued Japanese cooperation in infrastructure and economic development projects, accelerating ongoing project implementation, and proposing a Bangladesh-Japan skills partnership. Proposals for establishing a Tech Village and Innovation City were also brought up, alongside discussions on agricultural modernization, agro-processing, light engineering, and energy security.

The Prime Minister’s entourage includes his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, Minister of Finance and Planning Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kabir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Posts, Telecommunications, ICT, Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad.

Other members of the delegation include Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Employment for the Asia-Pacific Region Dr. Md. Shakirul Islam Khan, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Economic Relations Division Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atiqur Rahman Rumon, Hefazat-e-Islam Joint Secretary General and Acting Secretary General of Nezame Islam Party Azizul Haque Islamabadi, and Amjanatar Dal General Secretary Md. Tariq Rahman.

This marks PM Tarique Rahman’s third official foreign trip since assuming office on February 17 this year, following visits to Malaysia and China, as well as attending the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September.