Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that his historic visit to Japan marks a significant step forward in further strengthening the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan.

The Prime Minister made these comments in a post shared on his official Facebook page on Tuesday (October 27) night.

"The long-standing friendly relationship between Bangladesh and Japan is built on mutual respect and trust," the Prime Minister said. "My father, the martyred President Ziaur Rahman, played a pivotal role in laying the foundation of this relationship. My late mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, built upon that foundation and further strengthened ties through her visits to Japan and bilateral engagements."

He added, "Today, I had a highly productive summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. During the meeting, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, economic development, and establishing a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region."

The Prime Minister emphasized that the main goal of their discussions was to translate this partnership into tangible and visible opportunities for the people of Bangladesh.

He further noted that both sides discussed the possibility of an emergency financial assistance package of 50 billion Japanese Yen (approximately USD 320 million) under Japan’s Partnership for Power Asia initiative to bolster Bangladesh’s energy security.

Additionally, encouraging talks were held regarding potential Japanese private sector investments in Bangladesh of up to 1 trillion Japanese Yen (approximately USD 6.3 billion) over the next five years.

This could potentially generate nearly 200,000 new jobs in Bangladesh. Such investments are expected to accelerate the country’s industrialization, boost manufacturing capabilities, and unlock new opportunities for the young workforce.

To expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics, electronics manufacturing, and advanced technologies, the Prime Minister proposed the establishment of a Bangladesh–Japan Tech Park.

He also shared that discussions covered technical and financial support from Japan for space science and satellite engineering, as well as the development of high-speed rail connectivity among six major divisional cities and modern transport infrastructure.

A key outcome of the summit was a mutual commitment to advance the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative under a renewed framework for shared prosperity.

This updated collaboration will prioritize integrated development across energy, deep-sea ports, industrial infrastructure, technology, and regional connectivity—further solidifying Bangladesh’s role as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, discussions touched upon the swift implementation of the Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), strengthening institutional cooperation, and a proposal to establish a joint ministerial commission to translate shared priorities into concrete results.

Expressing gratitude for Japan's ongoing humanitarian support for the Rohingya community, the Prime Minister urged Japan to maintain active involvement in facilitating the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar.

Noting that Japan was among the first countries to recognize Bangladesh's independence and has remained a trusted partner at every stage of the nation's growth, he conveyed sincere thanks on behalf of the Bangladeshi people for Japan's enduring friendship and generosity.

"As Bangladesh moves forward following democratic elections, my government remains resolute in building a resilient economy through investment, innovation, infrastructure development, and the creation of meaningful employment opportunities," the Prime Minister stated.

"On behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the Government of Japan, and the people of Japan for their warm hospitality and unwavering confidence in Bangladesh."

He concluded: "Let us deepen and strengthen the multifaceted relationship between Bangladesh and Japan, and together build a stronger, more advanced, and prosperous future."