Tarique Rahman to hold summit with Takaichi today: EPA implementation, investment and cutting metro rail costs on the agenda

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has arrived in Japan on a four-day state visit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. On the very day of his arrival, Monday, he will sit in a high-level bilateral meeting with Takaichi at the Japanese prime minister's office.

The prime minister reached Narita International Airport in Japan at 6:05am on Monday (26 October). He was welcomed at the airport by Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakasone Yasutaka. Earlier, he left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Japan at 12:10am on Sunday night, aboard a regular Biman Bangladesh flight with a delegation.

The prime minister's Press Wing had said earlier that a joint press statement would be issued after the summit, and that a luncheon would be hosted by the Japanese prime minister.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told a press conference at the foreign ministry on 20 October that the visit was expected to further strengthen the existing strategic partnership, create new investment opportunities, expand trade and accelerate ongoing development projects.

The meeting will give importance to the effective implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in February 2026, increasing access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market, and strengthening business engagement. Strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and economic cooperation and increasing Japanese investment in Bangladesh will also feature in the visit. In particular, there may be discussion on reducing the cost of ongoing infrastructure projects, including the metro rail, and lowering loan interest rates.

The two sides will also discuss prospects for wider cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, skills development and human resource development. Detailed discussion is also planned on Japanese assistance for setting up factories in Bangladesh, creating employment and developing human resources, in line with the prime minister's priorities.

During the four-day visit, the prime minister will meet Japanese government officials, development agencies and business leaders, visit various industrial and energy installations, and present the keynote paper at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum.

His programme also includes meetings with the chairmen of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League and the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Co-operation. The foreign secretary said meetings are also planned with the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the president of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the chairman of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

The foreign secretary said: 'We expect several memoranda of understanding to be signed during this visit.' The two sides may also discuss regional and international peace and stability, a sustainable and peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis, cooperation in tackling the energy crisis, and efforts to resolve international conflicts.

Among the prime minister's entourage are his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, finance and planning adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, telecommunications and ICT adviser Rehan Asif Asad, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostakur Rahman, special assistant for foreign employment in the Asia-Pacific region Shakirul Islam Khan, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Economic Relations Division Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiqui, and the prime minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.

Japan has been one of Bangladesh's principal development partners since diplomatic relations were established in 1972. Several major projects are being implemented with Japanese assistance, including the Dhaka metro rail, the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and infrastructure development at Matarbari. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman visited Japan in 1978 and 1980, while former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia visited the country in 1994 and 2005.