Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Japan on Monday for a four-day state visit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties, expand trade and attract fresh investment.

A regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of the delegation landed at Narita International Airport at 9:05am local time on October 26. Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasutaka Nakasone welcomed him at the airport.

On the first day of the visit, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with Sanae Takaichi at her office, followed by a joint press statement and a luncheon hosted by the Japanese prime minister.

During the visit, the prime minister will meet Japanese government officials, development agencies and business leaders. He is also scheduled to visit industrial and energy facilities and deliver the keynote address at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum.

The discussions are expected to focus on implementing the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026, improving market access for Bangladeshi products in Japan, expanding bilateral trade and accelerating ongoing development projects.

Cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, skills development and human resource development will also feature in the talks.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to meet the chairpersons of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League and the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation. Meetings are also planned with the heads of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), as well as the chairman of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam earlier said the visit was expected to produce several memorandums of understanding and further strengthen the two countries’ strategic partnership.

The two sides are also expected to discuss Japanese support for establishing factories in Bangladesh, creating employment opportunities and developing human resources. Regional and international peace and stability, a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, energy security and efforts to resolve international conflicts may also be discussed.

The delegation includes Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Foreign Affairs State Minister Humayun Kabir, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources State Minister Anindya Islam Amit, Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman and senior government officials.

Japan has been one of Bangladesh’s major development partners since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972. Japanese assistance has supported major infrastructure projects, including the Dhaka Metro Rail, the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and infrastructure development in Matarbari.