Prof Yunus Leaves for Japan on Key Four-Day Official Visit

Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus left Dhaka for Tokyo.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus left Dhaka early Wednesday for Tokyo on a four-day official visit to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum Future of Asia and hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

He departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:10am on a Cathay Pacific flight and is expected to arrive at Narita International Airport at 2:30pm Tokyo time. He will return home on Saturday.

This marks Prof Yunus’ first visit to Japan as Chief Adviser. During the visit, Bangladesh is seeking $1 billion in soft loans, including $500 million in budgetary support and $250 million for the railway sector. Several bilateral MoUs are expected to be signed.

Addressing a media briefing, the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary said the visit aims to deepen the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan. Discussions will focus on trade, investment, agriculture, infrastructure, human resource development, and the Rohingya crisis.

Japan has also shown interest in recruiting 100,000 skilled Bangladeshi workers. The government is preparing manpower with proper training, including language skills, to meet this target.

Two key seminars will be held during the visit: one on investment co-hosted by JETRO and JICA, and another on skilled labour cooperation. Several MoUs are likely to be signed at both events.

On May 30, Prof Yunus will hold official talks with the Japanese Prime Minister and attend the Nikkei Forum, where he will deliver a keynote speech on "Asia’s Challenge in a Turbulent World".

He will also meet Japanese dignitaries, including JICA President Dr Tanaka Akihiko, and attend a dinner hosted in his honour by the Nippon Foundation President. On May 28, Taro Aso, President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League, will call on him.

The visit is expected to enhance cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and security sectors under the Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership.