Dhaka, Tokyo outline strategic ties ahead of Yunus’ Japan visit
Bangladesh and Japan have laid out a roadmap for deepening bilateral cooperation ahead of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’ upcoming visit to Tokyo, with both sides aiming to elevate their strategic partnership to new heights.
The discussions took place during the 6th Japan-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Tokyo on Thursday.
Underlining shared interests in regional stability, economic development, and sustainable growth, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation under frameworks such as the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (Big-B) initiative.
Japan has expressed strong interest in supporting high-quality infrastructure projects in Bangladesh and encouraging Japanese companies to expand their industrial value chains into the country.
The Big-B initiative, aimed at fostering sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region, is expected to serve as a key pillar of this collaboration.
A major highlight of the talks was the formal invitation extended by Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikuina Akiko to Chief Adviser Yunus to attend the Nikkei 30th Future of Asia Conference, scheduled for May 29–30, 2025, in Tokyo.
Professor Yunus, who received the Nikkei Asia Prize in 2004, is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, according to diplomatic sources.
This would mark a significant diplomatic engagement following the interim government’s reform agenda.
Led by Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Akahori Takeshi, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, the delegations engaged in wide-ranging discussions covering trade and investment; people-to-people connectivity and cultural exchanges; security cooperation; regional and global issues; and management of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingyas).
Both sides agreed to further strengthen the "Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership", focusing on political trust-building, prioritisation of development strategies, and enhanced cooperation across sectors.
In the economic domain, Japan iterated its readiness to support Bangladesh’s post-LDC graduation transition, including continued advocacy for Duty-Free Quota-Free (DFQF) access for Bangladeshi goods and broader market access for agricultural products like fruits and vegetables.
Bangladesh, in turn, requested increased Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans, an extension of repayment periods, and budgetary support from Japan to sustain socio-economic momentum.
Discussions also covered critical areas such as human resource development; joint credit mechanisms for energy transition; climate change mitigation; disaster and earthquake risk management; environmental infrastructure – including Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), Treatment Storage; disposal facilities (TSDFs), and solar power plants; and mechanisation of agriculture and modernisation of shipyards.
These initiatives underscore Japan’s long-standing role as a development partner and its growing interest in green and resilient infrastructure in South Asia.
Japan appreciated Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts in hosting over a million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingyas) and pledged continued support for their welfare. It also iterated its commitment to promoting early, safe, and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.
Both countries also exchanged views on key regional and global developments, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
At the conclusion of the consultations, the two sides described the dialogue as “very productive, fruitful, and wide-ranging.”
They reviewed progress made since the 5th round of FOC held in Dhaka in June 2024 and outlined future steps to deepen strategic alignment.
“The consultations ended with a shared vision to fully utilize our respective resources, strategic locations, and competencies to ensure the development and prosperity of our peoples,” said a joint statement.