Japan-BD ties set for new phase of expansion
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Japan and Bangladesh have expanded the scope of their bilateral engagement to include defence procurement, metro rail cooperation and closer coordination in international forums.
The topics came up when Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, Shinichi Saida, called on Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman at the Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The Japanese Ambassador also conveyed an invitation for the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time, reflecting the importance both governments attach to high-level political engagement.
During the courtesy meeting, Ambassador Saida congratulated Dr Rahman on assuming office and reaffirmed Tokyo’s commitment to deepening ties with Dhaka across strategic and economic sectors.
The two sides reviewed ongoing collaboration under the Employment Skill Development Programme, (ESDP) placing particular emphasis on skills enhancement and Japanese language training for Bangladeshi workers seeking employment opportunities in Japan.
Foreign Minister Rahman stressed the need for improved access to information for prospective migrant workers and proposed the development of a digital matchmaking platform to connect skilled Bangladeshi professionals with Japanese employers.
He noted that streamlined recruitment mechanisms could help address labour shortages in Japan while creating structured overseas employment pathways for Bangladesh.
Beyond labour cooperation, discussions also covered defence procurement and metro rail collaboration, and mutual support in international forums.
Both sides further exchanged views on mutual support in international forums, underscoring shared interests in multilateral diplomacy.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, Adviser to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Disaster Management and Relief, and Civil Aviation and Tourism Humayun Kabir, Adviser to the Ministries of Education, Primary and Mass Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Labour and Employment Mahdi Amin, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam, among others, were present.
Earlier in the day, Japanese Ambassador Saida also met the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.
Recalling Japan’s early recognition of Bangladesh following its independence, the State Minister reaffirmed Dhaka’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support, including on the Rohingya issue.
The latest exchanges indicate a steady consolidation of Bangladesh-Japan relations, with cooperation now spanning labour mobility, infrastructure, defence and multilateral diplomacy.
