Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi held a Tokyo summit to expand trade, investment and cooperation in energy, infrastructure, technology and manufacturing.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a bilateral summit in Tokyo on today, to strengthen diplomatic ties, expand trade and investment, and deepen cooperation across key economic sectors. The meeting took place at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office, known as the Kantei, during Rahman’s four-day official visit to Japan.
The discussions covered energy security, information and communication technology (ICT), railways, infrastructure development, deep-sea ports and foreign direct investment. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues, reflecting the broader strategic priorities of the two countries.
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Following the summit, the leaders made a joint press announcement outlining the outcomes of their discussions and exchanged memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in several areas. Takaichi also hosted an official luncheon in honour of the visiting Bangladeshi prime minister.
A major focus of the meeting was attracting Japanese investment to Bangladesh’s energy, infrastructure and technology sectors. Rahman called on Japan’s government and private sector to play a more active role in Bangladesh’s industrialisation and economic development. Discussions included a proposed investment plan worth up to ¥1 trillion (approximately US$6.3 billion) and the possibility of sending a Japanese team to Bangladesh to accelerate its implementation.
Energy cooperation featured prominently, with Rahman highlighting the need for reliable and affordable energy supplies to support economic growth. He encouraged greater Japanese participation in liquefied natural gas infrastructure, efficient power generation and renewable energy projects. He also proposed establishing a Bangladesh-Japan Tech Park focused on areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics and electronics manufacturing.
The leaders also discussed strengthening trade ties through the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in February 2026. Implementing the agreement effectively is expected to improve access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market and encourage stronger commercial engagement between businesses in both countries. Other areas of potential cooperation include skills development, advanced manufacturing, science and technology, agriculture and digital transformation.
The summit forms part of Bangladesh’s broader effort to attract foreign investment, expand industrial capacity and develop infrastructure. Japan has supported major projects in Bangladesh, including Dhaka’s metro rail and the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The latest discussions seek to build on this relationship through stronger private-sector participation, technology transfer and employment generation.
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During his visit, Rahman is also scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Forum and meet Japanese business leaders. The outcomes of the summit could help shape future cooperation, although the practical impact will depend on the implementation of proposed investments and bilateral agreements.