Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, information and communication technology (ICT), infrastructure, deep-sea ports and foreign investment, as the two countries move to elevate their longstanding relationship to a strategic partnership.

The two leaders announced their commitment at a joint press conference following bilateral talks at the Japanese prime minister’s office in Tokyo on Tuesday. Tarique Rahman also confirmed that several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) had been signed during his visit.

The meeting began at 11:45 am local time after Takaichi welcomed the Bangladeshi prime minister at the office at 11:30 am. Tarique Rahman received a guard of honour before the two leaders proceeded to their summit meeting.

Bangladesh Highlights Decades of Friendship

Addressing the joint press conference, Tarique Rahman said Japan held a special place in the hearts of the Bangladeshi people, describing the relationship as one founded on mutual respect, trust and a shared vision of peace, prosperity and stability.

He noted that Japan was among the first countries to recognise Bangladesh after its independence in 1971.

“For more than five decades, Japan has remained one of our most valuable development partners, making significant contributions to Bangladesh’s socioeconomic progress and infrastructure development,” the prime minister said.

He expressed appreciation for Japan’s longstanding friendship and its role in supporting Bangladesh’s development.

Tarique Rahman said the two leaders had held productive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation across several key sectors, including energy, ICT, trade, infrastructure, deep-sea ports and foreign investment.

The prime minister said the visit had produced concrete steps towards strengthening bilateral relations, including the signing of several MoUs in priority areas. A joint statement outlined the outcomes of the discussions and the two countries’ priorities for future cooperation.

Call for Greater Japanese Investment in Bangladesh

Tarique Rahman invited Japanese investors, businesses and financial institutions to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh and participate in the country’s next phase of economic growth.

He said Bangladesh was committed to working with Japanese partners to encourage productive investment, facilitate technology transfer, create employment opportunities and expand mutually beneficial business activities.

The prime minister emphasised that the two countries had an opportunity to build a more resilient and prosperous future by transforming their longstanding friendship into a stronger engine for economic opportunity and cooperation.

“Our ambition is clear: to transform the friendship between our two countries into a powerful engine of economic opportunity and partnership,” he said.

He added that the two governments should work towards a partnership that benefits their citizens today while creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

Japan Sees a New Chapter in Bilateral Relations

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan had grown stronger over the past 50 years, describing Japan as a trusted, long-term partner in Bangladesh’s economic development.

The two leaders also announced a joint commitment to strengthen cooperation in maintaining peace and security in both countries.

A key outcome of the talks was the decision to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership, marking a new phase in cooperation between the two Asian nations.

Takaichi expressed hope that the upgraded partnership would open new horizons in bilateral relations and create further opportunities for collaboration.

The discussions and agreements are expected to provide a framework for expanding economic ties, attracting investment and deepening cooperation across strategic sectors.