Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has departed for a four-day official visit to Japan aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as investment, technology, energy, infrastructure, and human resource development.
The aircraft carrying Yunus left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 2:15am on Tuesday. He is scheduled to arrive at Narita International Airport in Tokyo at 2:30pm local time on Wednesday, according to the Prime Minister’s Office and the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
During his visit, Yunus will participate in the 30th Nikkei Forum, where he is set to deliver the keynote speech on the theme “Asia’s Challenges in a Turbulent World.” The forum will be attended by top regional leaders, including the presidents of Laos and Palau, prime ministers of Japan and Cambodia, and deputy prime ministers of Vietnam and Singapore.
A central element of Yunus’s visit is his bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, scheduled for Friday morning. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the leaders will discuss trade and investment, infrastructure development, agricultural cooperation, human resource exchange, and the Rohingya crisis. Yunus will receive a red carpet welcome and guard of honour prior to the meeting at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office.
As part of bolstering economic cooperation, seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed covering investment, energy, and technology. These agreements are seen as a major step toward expanding Japan-Bangladesh cooperation and increasing Japanese involvement in Bangladesh’s growing economy.
The two sides are also expected to discuss a “note exchange” for upgrading the Joydebpur-Ishurdi railway line to a dual-gauge double track—an important infrastructure project under the Bay of Bengal connectivity initiative.
Yunus’s itinerary includes high-level meetings with Japanese stakeholders such as Taro Aso, president of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League, and Tanaka Akihiko, president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These discussions will focus on reviewing and expanding development cooperation projects funded by JICA in Bangladesh.
To further Bangladesh’s role in meeting Japan’s skilled labor needs, Yunus will participate in a human resource development seminar organized by the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo. He will deliver a special speech outlining Bangladesh’s workforce readiness and potential.
In addition, Yunus will meet Kimura Fukunari, president of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral trade. He will also participate in a roundtable with Japanese investors and attend the Bangladesh Business Seminar, engaging with global CEOs, social entrepreneurs, and young professionals.
In recognition of his contributions to social innovation and sustainable development, Soka University will confer an honorary doctorate on Yunus. He is expected to deliver a speech at the university’s ceremony on Friday afternoon.
Throughout his stay, Yunus will also engage with leading Japanese media outlets including NHK, Nikkei, Asahi Shimbun, and Nippon TV to highlight Bangladesh’s development trajectory and socio-economic opportunities.
The visit will conclude with community engagements, including a reception hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy and a dinner at Bangladesh House in Japan. Yunus is scheduled to depart Tokyo on Saturday morning on a Singapore Airlines flight and return to Dhaka the same night.
This visit marks a significant moment in Bangladesh-Japan relations, reflecting deepening cooperation on shared regional and global goals—from economic growth to humanitarian response and sustainable development.
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