Tokyo Reaffirms Support for Dhaka Through EPA, BIG-B, OSA

Japan has reaffirmed its continued cooperation with Bangladesh under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), BIG-B Initiative and Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework, while welcoming the recent handover of five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy.

The commitment came during the seventh Bangladesh-Japan Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Dhaka on Wednesday, where the two sides held comprehensive and forward-looking discussions on bilateral relations.

The talks covered trade and investment, energy security, renewable energy, the EPA, the BIG-B Initiative and defence cooperation.

The two sides also discussed expanding people-to-people contacts, opportunities for Bangladeshi skilled workers in Japan, the Rohingya crisis, regional and global issues, and cooperation through multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Namazu Hiroyuki conveyed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also invited Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to visit Japan in his capacity as president of the 81st UN General Assembly. Bangladesh, in turn, invited Prime Minister Takaichi to pay an official visit to Dhaka.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Namazu led their respective delegations at the consultations.

The meeting reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to further consolidating their Strategic Partnership and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas.

Namazu briefed the Bangladesh delegation on Japan’s vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

The Bangladeshi side highlighted progress in bilateral relations and expressed hope for further expansion of the Strategic Partnership. The foreign secretary also said the EPA could help boost Japanese investment in Bangladesh.

He acknowledged Japan’s development support under the BIG-B Initiative, including projects such as the Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Power Project, Dhaka Metro Rail and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Bangladesh sought Japan’s continued support in expanding bilateral trade and investment and promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.

The two sides also stressed the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, including expanding employment opportunities for Bangladeshi Specified Skilled Workers in Japan and increasing educational, cultural and civil society exchanges.

On the Rohingya crisis, the foreign secretary highlighted the significant humanitarian and socioeconomic burden Bangladesh faces in hosting more than 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.

He reiterated Bangladesh’s position that their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar remains the only viable and lasting solution. He also thanked Japan for its continued humanitarian support for the Rohingyas.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and stronger cooperation in multilateral forums.

The next Bangladesh-Japan Foreign Office Consultations are expected to be held in Tokyo in 2027.