Takaichi gives Tarique Rahman guard of honour and warm welcome at Tokyo's Kantei as two prime ministers begin summit talks
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has given Prime Minister Tarique Rahman a warm welcome at the Kantei, the Japanese prime minister's office in Tokyo. The welcome was given when Tarique Rahman arrived at the Kantei at 11:30am local time today, Tuesday.
Ahead of the bilateral summit aimed at strengthening the two countries' relations, expanding trade and investment and deepening mutual cooperation, the Japanese prime minister formally welcomed the prime minister of Bangladesh.
A smartly turned-out contingent of Japan's armed forces presented Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with a guard of honour. The national anthems of Japan and Bangladesh were played at the time. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inspected the guard. During the guard of honour, the two prime ministers stood side by side.
After the reception ceremony, Tarique Rahman introduced his entourage to the Japanese prime minister. In the same way, the Japanese prime minister introduced the members of her cabinet to the prime minister of Bangladesh.
After the introduction formalities ended, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman signed the visitors' book at the entrance to the building's main room. The two prime ministers then met in a one-to-one meeting.
The prime minister's deputy press secretary Shahadat Swadhin said the meeting will discuss strengthening bilateral relations, increasing trade and investment, Japanese cooperation in various sectors, and the two countries' positions on international issues. The summit is expected to give prominence to strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, increasing Japanese cooperation in important sectors, and exchanging views on various regional and international issues.
The two leaders will take part in a joint press conference at noon on the outcome of the talks. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has arranged a luncheon at the Kantei in honour of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. At the start of the luncheon the Japanese prime minister will give a brief welcome speech and raise a toast; in reply the prime minister of Bangladesh will speak and raise a toast in return.
Meanwhile, to welcome the prime minister of Bangladesh, the national flags of Bangladesh and Japan were hung on both sides of the long road leading to the prime minister's building in Tokyo.
At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Tokyo on Monday morning. At Narita International Airport he was welcomed by Japan's state minister for foreign affairs Yasutaka Nakasone.
On the first day of the tour, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held separate meetings with a high-level parliamentary delegation led by former Japanese prime minister Taro Aso, Marubeni Corporation chairman Masumi Kakinoki, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president Dr Akihiko Tanaka.
In the meeting with the Marubeni chairman, discussions covered expanding trade and investment, implementing the EPA, and the prospects for Japanese investment in information and communication technology, energy and advanced manufacturing; the prime minister also discussed modernising Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) and the possibility of setting up a second fertiliser plant in the country. In the meeting with the JICA president, discussions covered Japan's continued cooperation in infrastructure and economic development projects, speeding up implementation of ongoing projects, a Bangladesh-Japan skills partnership, and a proposal to establish a technology village and innovation city.
During this four-day tour, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present the keynote paper at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and meet Japanese business leaders.
This is Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's third foreign tour since taking office on 17 February this year. Before this he visited Malaysia and China. He also visited New York last September to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
