Japan Visit Puts Investment and Tech Cooperation in Focus

A reported plan to arrange 1 trillion yen—about $6.36 billion—in private-sector investment in Bangladesh over the next five years, alongside potential Japanese participation in automobile manufacturing and energy infrastructure, is emerging as a key economic focus of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s four-day visit to Tokyo. On Monday morning, Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasutaka Nakasone welcomed the prime minister at Narita International Airport. Rehan Asif Asad, the prime minister’s adviser on posts, telecommunications and information technology, and science and technology, was also present alongside him during the reception.

The visit, from October 26 to 29, comes at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The two leaders are scheduled to hold high-level talks on Tuesday, October 27, followed by a joint announcement. Reuters, citing Japan’s Nikkei newspaper, reported that a joint statement could refer to arrangements for private-sector investment worth 1 trillion yen over five years. Reuters said it could not independently verify the report, so the proposed amount should not be treated as a confirmed investment agreement.

Automotive manufacturing and energy infrastructure in focus

According to Nikkei’s report, the proposed investments could go into automobile and other manufacturing industries, as well as the construction of energy facilities. The initiative could also involve companies entering the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone, which is being developed by several parties, including Japanese trading company Sumitomo Corporation.

If implemented, such investments could create opportunities to expand manufacturing capacity, generate employment and develop supply chains linked to industrial production. Investment in energy infrastructure could also support Bangladesh’s industrial development and growing energy needs. However, details on participating companies, project locations, investment schedules and individual commitments have not yet been disclosed.

Beyond the reported investment arrangement, the two countries are expected to discuss trade expansion, improved access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market and implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026.

Rehan Asif Asad’s presence at the airport reception

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines commercial flight carrying Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of the entourage landed at Narita International Airport at 9:07am local time on Monday. Nakasone received the prime minister. Rehan Asif Asad and Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, the prime minister’s special assistant for foreign employment in the Asia-Pacific region, were also present.

After completing airport formalities, the prime minister was escorted in a motorcade to Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, where he and members of his entourage will stay during the visit.

As the adviser responsible for posts, telecommunications and information technology, as well as science and technology, Rehan Asif Asad’s participation is relevant to the broader agenda of technology cooperation, digital transformation and investment. The visit is expected to include discussions on science and technology, digital transformation, skills development and human-resource development.

Bangladesh’s information technology sector also has an existing interest in the Japanese market. Some member companies of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) operate in Japan, while BASIS has a Japan Desk. These links could provide a basis for stronger business engagement between the two countries. However, no specific agreement or announcement on this issue has yet been confirmed as part of the visit.

Summit talks and possible memoranda

Tarique Rahman and Sanae Takaichi are scheduled to lead the bilateral summit on Tuesday, followed by a joint announcement. The discussions are expected to cover economic partnership, trade and investment, as well as cooperation on ongoing development projects.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam has said Bangladesh expects several memoranda of understanding to be signed during the visit. Three to four MoUs may cover agriculture, fisheries, human-resource development, technical skills, civil aviation, environmental conservation and modernisation of local government. Energy cooperation, renewable energy, science and technology, and digital transformation are also expected to feature in discussions.

The prime minister is scheduled to meet Japanese government officials, development agencies and business leaders. His programme includes meetings with the chairpersons of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League and the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation.

Meetings are also planned with senior officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Tarique Rahman will deliver the keynote address at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum and visit industrial and energy facilities. Discussions are also expected on Japanese support for establishing factories in Bangladesh, creating jobs and developing human resources in line with the government’s priorities.

Ministers, advisers and policy officials in the delegation

The prime minister’s entourage includes his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman; Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru 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; and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit.

Other members include Rehan Asif Asad; Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, also known as Ashik Chowdhury; Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman; Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan; Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam; Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury; Economic Relations Division Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky; and the prime minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

Political representatives accompanying the delegation include Azizul Haque Islamabadi, joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam and acting secretary general of Nezam-e-Islam Party, and Md Tarek Rahman, general secretary of the Amjanatar Dal.

This is Tarique Rahman’s third state visit since taking office on February 17 after winning the 13th parliamentary election. He previously visited Malaysia and China. In September, he travelled to New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Japan’s longstanding development partnership

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

Bilateral ties have expanded across infrastructure, trade, investment and human-resource development. Greater Japanese investment in manufacturing, along with opportunities for technology transfer and skills development, could become important areas of the next phase of cooperation.

Attention will now turn to how the reported investment arrangement, potential automobile and energy projects, and technology cooperation feature in the joint statement. The implementation terms, details of any signed MoUs and the roles of participating companies will be important in determining the visit’s concrete economic outcomes.

Sources: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Reuters and reporting attributed to Nikkei.

//DBTech/IH/SMP/MIST//