United News of Bangladesh

Japan is keen to increase investment in Bangladesh, viewing the country as an attractive investment destination, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa Ryosei told Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday. During a meeting with the Prime Minister in Japan, Akazawa expressed his country’s interest in further developing bilateral relations and expanding Japanese investment in Bangladesh, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. Tarique thanked the Japanese government for its continued support and cooperation in building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. Both sides agreed to advance cooperation in areas discussed during the recent bilateral summit between Tarique and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and further strengthen bilateral relations. They also stressed the need to capitalise on the interest among Japanese business leaders in Bangladesh to attract more Japanese investment to the country.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasised Bangladesh’s national interests in strengthening ties with Japan, prioritising development projects and investment that can create jobs, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Tuesday. Briefing reporters at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo after the Prime Minister’s bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Kobir said the talks focused on boosting trade, investment and economic cooperation and advancing strategic projects. He said Japan’s private sector plans to invest around US$6.34 billion in Bangladesh over the next five years, potentially creating employment opportunities for about 200,000 people. The state minister said Tarique stressed the need for giving priority to investment in industries capable of generating jobs, as the government seeks to turn growing international interest in Bangladesh into concrete investment. He said the two countries also discussed expediting the implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which was signed in February 2026. The Prime Minister sought Japan’s support to ensure a smooth and sustainable graduation of Bangladesh from the least developed country (LDC) category, Kobir said. Bangladesh sought an additional three years to prepare for LDC graduation, citing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, long-standing economic challenges and the recent global energy crisis, he said. The state minister said Bangladesh urged Japan to give serious consideration to the request. He said the two sides also discussed establishing a ministerial-level joint mechanism to accelerate bilateral cooperation, identify priority sectors, set specific timelines and regularly review progress. Kobir said Japan showed interest in projects involving investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector, the development of a technology-based industrial city and infrastructure, including elevated expressways. He also referred to Japanese development assistance worth 50 billion yen, equivalent to around $340 million. Describing the visit as important for creating new investment opportunities and strengthening economic ties, the state minister said international partners are showing renewed interest in Bangladesh following the formation of its new democratically elected government. He said one of the main objectives of the visit is to translate that interest into actual investment. The Prime Minister’s visits to Japanese energy infrastructure and logistics facilities also offered opportunities to learn from Japan’s experience, particularly in LNG terminal development and modern logistics management, Kobir added. Replying to a question about employment opportunities for Bangladeshi students and workers in Japan, he said the two countries are discussing Japanese-language training and the development of skilled manpower, with a process already at the implementation stage. On the Rohingya crisis, the state minister said Bangladesh plans to raise the issue prominently in multilateral diplomatic forums next year and hopes for a positive role from Japan. He described the Prime Minister’s visit as fruitful, saying the constructive discussions between the two leaders opened up new possibilities for Bangladesh’s development, industrialisation and job creation. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin were also present at the briefing.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday pledged strong support for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s nation-building efforts, saying Japan will work closely with Bangladesh to strengthen their strategic partnership and promote shared prosperity. In a post on her official X account after their bilateral summit in Tokyo, Takaichi said she was pleased to personally congratulate Tarique on taking office, describing Bangladesh as a friend that shares the values of democracy and the rule of law. “Japan will strongly support the nation-building efforts of the Rahman administration, which came to power following a democratic general election,” she said. Takaichi said the two countries discussed bilateral cooperation in light of their shared values and Bangladesh’s importance to the realisation of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). She said they agreed to advance the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B), a key framework for bilateral cooperation, into a new strategic initiative called “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity.” The Japanese Prime Minister said Tarique recalled Japan’s role as a peace-loving nation and its early recognition of Bangladesh’s independence. She said her Bangladeshi counterpart also described Japan as a country that holds a special place in the hearts of the Bangladeshi people and expressed gratitude for the wide-ranging support and cooperation from the Japanese government and people. Highlighting Bangladesh’s economic potential, Takaichi said the country is important to Japan’s economy because of its strategic position connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia and its large, young market of 170 million people. Referring to the joint statement issued after their summit, she said the two countries will work together through government and private-sector initiatives under their strategic partnership. “Together, we will grow stronger and more prosperous,” Takaichi said, pledging to work closely with Tarique to promote peace and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders held their summit at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Tuesday, the second day of Tarique’s four-day official visit to Japan.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Md. Daud Ali has returned to Dhaka ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s scheduled official visit to Japan, apparently keeping him away from activities related to the visit. Secretary (Bilateral - East & West) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam was sent to Tokyo to coordinate preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit scheduled for October 26-29. Dr Nazrul held a meeting with officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, a diplomatic source told UNB. Ambassador Daud Ali is currently staying in Dhaka. The move is considered unusual, although the reasons behind the decision could not be independently ascertained. Daud Ali assumed office as Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan on December 12, 2024, after serving as the country’s Ambassador to Romania. He previously served as Director General (Consular and Welfare) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A career foreign service officer from the 15th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Foreign Affairs cadre, Ali has served in various capacities at Bangladesh missions in Tokyo, Pretoria and London during his diplomatic career. He also served as Consul General at the Bangladesh Consulate in Kunming, China, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the ministry’s headquarters, he held various positions across different wings. Daud Ali obtained a master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Rajshahi.    

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, are set to hold bilateral talks in Tokyo on October 27 to strengthen their “strategic partnership”, deepen economic ties and increase investment. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam on Tuesday briefed reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on various aspects of the upcoming four-day visit. “It is expected that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan will be further strengthened. New doors will open in the relationship, and fresh private investment will come to Bangladesh from Japan,” he said. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his spouse, Dr Zubaida Rahman, will pay an “official working” visit to Japan from October 26 to 29. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a delegation that includes Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit. “This visit of Prime Minister Rahman is expected to further strengthen the ‘strategic partnership’ between Japan and Bangladesh, a key regional partner that shares values and principles such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and enhance coordination towards realising the updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” a spokesperson for Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. Japanese companies are expected to use the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to announce fresh investments or plans to establish new offices in Bangladesh, a diplomatic source told UNB, adding that Japanese companies continued operating in Bangladesh even during the challenging period and had not withdrawn from the market. Several companies are reportedly preparing to announce their commitments to Bangladesh during the visit. Foreign Secretary Siam said both sides are discussing the signing of several MoUs during the visit. Draft MoUs on agriculture, fisheries, human resource development and skills development, domestic aviation, trade, environmental conservation, and the modernisation of local government are currently under discussion. “We hope that many of these MoUs will be signed during the visit,” the Foreign Secretary said. Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, who is set to become the next Foreign Secretary, Additional Foreign Secretary (Public Diplomacy and Other Priority Matters) AKM Shahidul Karim, and Chief of Protocol AFM Zahid-Ul-Islam were also present at the media briefing. Earlier, Japan invited the Prime Minister to pay an official visit at a mutually convenient time, reaffirming Tokyo’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Dhaka. In April, Bangladesh welcomed a Japan-led initiative to address energy issues more efficiently across Asia, noting that countries needed to work together, as no single country could resolve the challenges alone. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman joined an online meeting at the invitation of the Japanese Prime Minister. Siam also said the visit would create opportunities to accelerate and complete ongoing projects. Commercial partnerships would be strengthened, the volume of economic and development assistance would increase, and security cooperation would continue, he said. He said there was also potential for Japanese support in establishing factories in Bangladesh, creating employment opportunities and developing human resources. Beyond bilateral relations, the two leaders would also discuss global issues. “It is hoped that the two countries will initiate fruitful discussions on peace and stability in the regional and international arenas, a lasting and peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, strengthening mutual cooperation to resolve the global energy crisis, and jointly playing a role in ending international conflicts,” the Foreign Secretary said. Siam said relations between Bangladesh and Japan were long-standing, historic and friendly. Japan was one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh shortly after its independence and had made significant contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, infrastructure construction, human resource development and capacity building, he said. “Our relationship has expanded and broadened beyond trade, investment and development cooperation to various fields, including science and technology, connectivity, the environment, and regional and sub-regional cooperation,” Siam said. He described the current relationship between the two countries as a strategic partnership. Under this framework, various cooperative activities, including infrastructure development in Bangladesh, technological advancement, human resource development and security cooperation, are ongoing. “We hope these activities will further increase through this visit,” Siam said. Against the backdrop of the existing strategic partnership, he said the upcoming visit offered a timely opportunity to deepen and broaden ties between the two countries. In particular, the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan in February 2026 had opened up new possibilities for expanding trade and investment, he said. The Prime Minister will deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum. He is also expected to visit the LNG terminal and power plant in Katsuura City, Chiba, UNIQLO Headquarters, and the Toyota plant in Nagoya, Japan.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Tuesday said Bangladesh's strategic geographic location at the junction of South Asia and ASEAN offers Japanese investors a unique opportunity, noting that investment in Bangladesh could give Japan access to a regional market of more than 3 billion consumers. “Bangladesh is not just a promising investment destination but a strategic economic bridge between South Asia and ASEAN,” Bobby said while addressing the Bangladesh Investment Promotion Seminar in Osaka, jointly organised by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Bangladesh Embassy in Japan, and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The state minister said progress on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan, along with the establishment of a special economic zone for Japanese investors, would elevate bilateral economic ties to a new height. He said these initiatives would play a groundbreaking role in expanding bilateral trade and investment and would ensure a more favourable environment for Japanese investors. Referring to Japan's Meiji Restoration, Bobby described it as an exemplary case of national transformation through education, technology, industrialisation and visionary leadership, adding that Bangladesh wants to build its future economy by drawing on Japan's development experience through knowledge, technology, innovation, productivity and skilled human resource development. He said Bangladesh's economy currently stands at more than $500 billion, having maintained growth above 6 percent for a long period and staying above 4.5 percent despite global economic challenges. “The government aims to elevate Bangladesh to a $1 trillion economy by 2034.” The state minister said Bangladesh's biggest competitive strength lies in its workforce of more than 70 million young people. He noted that with per capita income crossing $3,000, the domestic market is rapidly expanding and purchasing power is rising, creating new opportunities for foreign investors. Bobby said bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Japan currently stands at around $3.5 billion, with both countries aiming to raise it to $10 billion in the coming years. He identified machinery and light engineering, industrial components, automobile and electric vehicle (EV) parts, electronics, pharmaceuticals, API and medical equipment, diversified jute products, agro-processing, food security, cold-chain logistics, renewable energy, port and logistics infrastructure, industrial park development, robotics, education technology and skilled human resource development as promising sectors for Japanese investment. He also pointed to the potential for partnership with organisations such as Artec in education technology and skills development. Bobby said there is immense potential for cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan in education, skills development, healthcare and medical tourism. “Bangladesh's young, educated and skilled workforce can play a significant role in meeting Japan's growing labour shortage and the needs of its ageing population, creating scope for long-term partnership in skills development, technical training and employment between the two countries.” The state minister thanked Japan, including JICA, for working for decades as one of Bangladesh's most trusted development partners in infrastructure, education, human resource development and economic progress through various bilateral initiatives. Bangladesh and Japan are now entering a new era based on investment, trade, technology, innovation and shared prosperity, Bobby said, calling on Japanese businesses and investors to become long-term partners in Bangladesh's growth journey. Investing in Bangladesh, he said, means not just entering one country's market but a strategic opportunity to access a vast regional market of more than 3 billion consumers.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday visited the earthquake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan as residents began clearing debris from damaged homes while facing scorching temperatures and ongoing water shortages. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu last Tuesday, killing 38 people, according to prefectural officials. Among the victims was a person who apparently died from heat stroke while sheltering inside a car. Authorities are still investigating the cause of another death. Residents placed piles of rubble, broken furniture and damaged household appliances outside their homes for collection. Construction of temporary housing also began in the towns of Uki and Hikawa for people displaced by the disaster. More than 46,000 households were still without running water on Monday, while many communities were also experiencing fuel shortages. The Japan Meteorological Agency forecast temperatures to approach 40 degrees Celsius, raising concerns over heat-related illnesses. More than 8,500 people remained in emergency shelters, including community centres, school gymnasiums and classrooms, many of which lack air conditioning. Others continued to stay in cars parked near town halls and parks or outside their damaged homes. Disaster experts have long warned that overcrowded shelters with limited sanitation and privacy can make conditions more difficult for displaced people. During her visit, Takaichi toured one of the area's better-equipped shelters, which had cardboard beds, partitions and air conditioning. However, the visit drew criticism on social media, with some users saying it did not reflect the conditions in most evacuation centres. Meanwhile, a local retailer acknowledged that it had instructed two employees, who later died in an explosion at a collapsed shopping mall, to return to the building to secure the day's sales proceeds. Executives of Habita, which operated a store inside the collapsed Aeon Mall in Kashima, attended the funeral wake of 22-year-old employee Kurumi Otake on Sunday and apologised to her family. Company sales manager Goji Yuse admitted the employees had been asked to return to the store if it was safe to place the money in a secure safe. "My daughter is not coming back," Otake's mother told company officials through tears. The mall operator believes the explosion was caused by a gas leak after about 3,000 shoppers had already been evacuated following the earthquake, though some employees remained inside the building. Rescue teams pulled five survivors from the rubble and recovered the bodies of seven others. Authorities said the earthquake injured 114 people, destroyed around 700 homes and damaged more than 11,300 buildings across Kumamoto Prefecture.

The death toll from a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan has risen to 18 as soldiers and emergency workers continued searching through collapsed buildings and debris for survivors, authorities said Wednesday. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region on Kyushu, Japan's southern main island, on Tuesday, leaving at least 62 people injured, including six critically, according to the prefectural government. Officials warned the number of casualties could increase as search operations continue. Rescuers worked in sweltering heat to search damaged homes and commercial buildings, though authorities said it remained unclear how many people were still missing. One of the hardest-hit locations was an Aeon Mall shopping centre in Kashima city, where thousands of shoppers were present when the quake struck. The company said about 3,000 customers were evacuated before a gas explosion occurred in another section of the mall. The mall's second floor collapsed, trapping several people. Aeon President Akio Yoshida said four people were confirmed dead at the site, while three others remained missing. "We take it seriously that an explosion happened and precious lives were lost," Yoshida told a news conference. Elsewhere, a collapsed chimney at a Nippon Paper Industries factory in nearby Yatsushino killed five workers and injured others. Authorities said seven people were rescued from the debris, while four remained trapped. In the first reported foreign fatality, a Vietnamese technical intern was killed after a crane collapsed at the factory where he worked. Seven other Vietnamese interns escaped safely, while the wife of one worker was injured when a wall fell and was receiving hospital treatment. The earthquake also disrupted essential services, leaving nearly 34,900 households without electricity and about 15,000 without running water. More than 8,800 residents took shelter at over 400 evacuation centres, where authorities were installing additional power sources to provide air conditioning. Japan's Self-Defense Forces joined rescue teams in the search operation, assisted by firefighters from Taiwan. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government was making every effort to locate survivors and deliver food and other emergency supplies to the worst-hit areas. Bullet train services remained suspended, while some flights were canceled despite the reopening of Aso Kumamoto Airport. Kumamoto was also devastated by a major earthquake in 2016 that killed at least 50 people. Japan is among the world's most earthquake-prone countries.

Japan's space agency successfully carried out the first test flight of its experimental reusable rocket on Saturday, marking an important step toward developing cheaper space launches and strengthening its position in the global space industry. The reusable vehicle, known as RV-X, lifted off from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Noshiro Testing Center in northeastern Japan. During the test, the rocket rose vertically, hovered, moved sideways and then landed safely after a flight lasting less than one minute. The launch was livestreamed by NVS, a Japanese space enthusiasts' group. According to Takashi Ito, JAXA's reusable rocket project manager, the test went as planned. The rocket climbed to a height of 11 metres (36 feet), moved 16 metres (52 feet) horizontally while maintaining an upright position, and then landed successfully. The test is part of Japan's efforts to develop reusable rocket technology that can significantly reduce launch costs, similar to the system used by Elon Musk's SpaceX for several years. JAXA hopes the technology will eventually support the development of a reusable successor to Japan's current H3 rocket, which is designed for a single launch. The successful test came a day after Chinese state media reported that China had recovered the first stage of a rocket for the first time following a launch. Japan's H3 rocket was introduced as a more affordable replacement for the highly reliable H-2A rocket. However, officials say further cost reductions will be necessary for Japan to compete effectively in the growing global launch market. The Japanese government considers a reliable and commercially competitive launch system essential for both the country's space programme and national security. JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are jointly developing the RV-X. The rocket measures 7.3 metres (23.9 feet) in length and 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) in diameter. It is equipped with a more durable engine and four shock-absorbing landing legs designed for repeated use. Ito said the rocket's engine has already completed 165 combustion tests, demonstrating its durability. JAXA is also working with partners in France and Germany on reusable rocket technology. Future test flights of the RV-X are expected to reach altitudes of around 100 metres (328 feet) as development continues.

Lee Jae Myung and Sanae Takaichi held their fourth meeting in about six months on Tuesday, as the two leaders moved to strengthen relations between their countries amid growing regional and global challenges. Lee hosted Takaichi in his hometown of Andong, a southeastern city known for its traditional folk village recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In January, the two leaders met in Takaichi’s hometown of Nara, making it the first time sitting leaders of the two countries have visited each other’s hometowns. South Korea’s presidential office said the summit was expected to build greater trust between the two leaders. Before the talks, Takaichi said she hoped to expand cooperation under difficult geopolitical conditions, including tensions in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. The meeting focused on economic and energy cooperation, the Iran war and broader bilateral relations. Experts said the talks were likely to proceed smoothly because both sides are currently prioritizing practical cooperation over historical disputes. “Both countries are focusing more on areas of cooperation than on contentious issues,” said Choi Eunmi of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. South Korea and Japan are major allies of the United States, but their relationship has often been strained by unresolved issues stemming from Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Relations began improving in 2023 when the previous governments agreed to set aside some historical disagreements and work together on shared concerns, including US-China rivalry, supply chain risks and North Korea’s nuclear programme. When Lee and Takaichi took office last year, some analysts feared their differing political views could weaken ties. Instead, the two leaders have maintained close cooperation. In August last year, Lee became the first South Korean president to choose Japan as the destination for his first bilateral summit. At the end of their January meeting, Lee and Takaichi joined an informal drumming session featuring songs by BTS, including “Dynamite.” Analysts say the leaders are working more closely because they face mounting challenges, including President Donald Trump’s America First policies and economic disruption caused by the Iran war. Both South Korea and Japan have pledged major investments in the United States, but Trump’s tariff policies and transactional approach to security have raised concerns in both countries. Despite the recent improvement, experts warn that unresolved historical issues, including wartime forced labour and sexual slavery, could still trigger tensions if not properly addressed. Choi said the two governments are avoiding public debate on those issues, but there is no guarantee they will not resurface in the future.