A Japanese delegation led by Shimada Tomaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and including the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), called on the Honourable Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and BNP Chairman, Mr. Tarique Rahman.

The meeting was held at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday (1 July 2026) at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the progress of several major JICA-funded development projects in Bangladesh, including the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) lines, and the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed his hope that construction of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport would be completed within the scheduled timeframe, enabling its inauguration by December.

The meeting also discussed Japan's financial assistance to help Bangladesh address its energy crisis. Japan responded positively to Bangladesh's request to increase its assistance from US$312 million to US$500 million.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expediting the implementation of the Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

During the meeting, the Japanese delegation informed the Prime Minister that Japan will provide five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy.

The Rohingya crisis was also discussed. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed his expectation that Japan would continue its support and play a greater role in the international community to facilitate the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya refugees.

The delegation extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit Japan. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed his hope of undertaking the visit at a mutually convenient time.

Representing Bangladesh at the meeting were Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Adviser on the Ministry of Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific Region Dr. Md. Shakirul Islam Khan.

Representing Japan were Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi, Director of the International Cooperation Bureau of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hirose Aiko, JICA President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, and Chief Representative of the JICA Bangladesh Office Takahashi Junko.