Prime Minister Tarique Rahman leaves for Japan tonight; Amjanata Party's Tarek Rahman joins as entourage member
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman leaves for Japan on Sunday night on a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with Japan, increasing investment and expanding economic cooperation. Joining him in the entourage is Md Tarek Rahman, member secretary of the Amjanata Party.
Md Tarek Rahman, the Amjanata Party member secretary, confirmed his inclusion in the entourage himself in a post on his own Facebook account on Sunday evening (25 October).
In the caption he wrote: 'Leaving for Japan today, with the Honourable Prime Minister. Love to everyone.' He attached to the post a smiling photograph of himself shaking hands with the prime minister.
The prime minister will stay in Japan from 26 to 29 October. During the visit, alongside strengthening bilateral relations, emphasis will be placed on talks on reducing the cost and loan interest rates of ongoing infrastructure projects including the metro rail, attracting Japanese investment, and expanding trade and economic cooperation.
According to the itinerary, the Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the prime minister is scheduled to arrive at Narita International Airport in Tokyo at 9:25am local time on Monday (26 October).
Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nakasone Yasutaka, will receive the prime minister at the airport. During the visit the prime minister will stay at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
On the second day of the visit, Tuesday (27 October), Tarique Rahman will sit in a high-level bilateral meeting with the prime minister of Japan in Tokyo. Besides reviewing existing cooperation between the two countries, the meeting is expected to discuss various ways of further broadening economic relations.
On the same day, the prime minister will deliver the keynote speech at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and meet Japanese business leaders.
The visit programme may include meetings with top officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. Visits to an LNG terminal, a power plant, Uniqlo's headquarters and a Toyota factory are also on the programme.
Increasing Japanese investment in Bangladesh, creating new employment opportunities and accelerating implementation of ongoing development projects are among the visit's main agenda items. Implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026, may also feature prominently in the talks; the agreement is expected to create opportunities to expand trade and further strengthen the economic partnership between the two countries.
