Bangladesh Prime Minister Tareque Rahman held a courtesy meeting with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko on Monday, discussing concessional loans, major development projects, energy security and expanded cooperation across several key sectors.

The meeting took place at 5:10 p.m. Japan local time, with JICA Senior Vice President Shohei Hara and other senior officials attending.

During the meeting, Rahman recalled a productive discussion with the JICA president in Dhaka during his visit to Bangladesh in July 2026. He expressed gratitude for Japan’s longstanding support for Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development and JICA’s significant contribution to the country’s progress.

The prime minister highlighted Japan’s important role in Bangladesh’s infrastructure development, socioeconomic advancement and broader development ambitions. He stressed the importance of strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two countries and continuing cooperation to improve Bangladesh’s development prospects and the living standards of its people.

Both sides discussed the timely completion of major development projects currently underway with Japanese assistance. They also explored ways to accelerate the approval and implementation of priority projects awaiting clearance.

Bangladesh emphasized the need to continue receiving concessional loans from Japan in line with the country’s development priorities, while also seeking to expand technical cooperation.

Among the proposals presented by Bangladesh were a Bangladesh-Japan skills development partnership, the establishment of a technology and innovation city, and broader cooperation in agricultural modernization, agro-processing and the light engineering sector.

In view of the current global energy situation, Bangladesh also requested budgetary support, similar to that provided last year, to help meet the country’s energy needs and strengthen energy security.

JICA President Tanaka reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working alongside Bangladesh to promote prosperity.

Rahman expressed optimism that the proposed initiatives would further strengthen the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan and contribute to shared prosperity in both countries.

Bangladesh’s delegation included Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury; Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat; Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir; State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir; State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit; Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad; the prime minister’s special assistant for overseas employment in the Asia-Pacific region, Dr. Md. Shakirul Islam Khan; Economic Relations Division Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiqui; and Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon, along with other senior government officials.

Earlier on Monday, Rahman, his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage arrived at Narita International Airport at 9:05 a.m. local time. Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasutaka Nakasone welcomed the prime minister.

At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Rahman is on a four-day official visit to Japan. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet Japanese government officials, development agencies and business leaders, tour industrial and energy facilities, and deliver the keynote address at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum.