Japan-Bangladesh bilateral relations emanate from the unwavering Japanese support for the cause of an independent Bangladesh. Japan recognized independent Bangladesh on 10 February 1972 and established diplomatic relations. Following that both the countries established their respective Embassies in 1972. Bangladesh nurture enduring gratitude for all Japanese who stood by in its trying hours. A bond of mutual goodwill and respect has since developed between the two peoples. The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited Japan from 18-24 October 1973. The visit of the Father of the Nation laid down the political foundation for advancing the bilateral relations between the two countries. Since then, the bilateral relations between the two countries have developed steadily.

Japan has been instrumental in building the country’s infrastructure including roads and bridges, power plants, water and sanitation facilities as well as poverty alleviation and human resources development efforts which contributed to the attainment of overall socio-economic development goals of Bangladesh. Japan played great role in supporting Bangladesh at the time of natural disasters. Japan supported Bangladesh in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic by providing budget support loans and 4.5 million doses of vaccines (2021). The friendly and peace-loving people in Bangladesh always expresses their gratitude to the friendly and peace-loving Japanese people. Thus, over the years Japan became a true and time-tested friend of Bangladesh.

The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan developed strong momentum and grew from strength to strength in recent years. Under the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the relationship entered a new era of wider cooperation and partnership. The official visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan from 29 November- 02 December 2010 presented an ideal opportunity to take the bilateral relations to a new height. The signing of the Joint Statement between the two countries stipulated fundamental basis for the future bilateral engagements, including fresh political commitments from the Government of Japan to undertake major development projects in Bangladesh and to expand bilateral trade and investment. The Government of Japan, acknowledging measures undertaken by the Government of Bangladesh for creating a middle-income country enshrined in the ‘Vision 2021’, reaffirmed continued support in wider ranges of fields from social development to energy, power generation, communication infrastructure, investment, trade, textile, garments and IT projects.

One reality is Japan’s interest in South Asia. As a region, South Asia was not viewed by Japan as important as the Southeast Asia, its own region Far East or USA. Being a US ally, when the USA  developed interest in Ind-Pacific, there was a renewed thinking in Japan’s own foreign policy pursuit. Under the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” pioneered by the then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014, Japan bolstered her engagement with countries in South Asia (in their Foreign Policy termed as Southwest Asia) including Bangladesh. Japan developed stronger relationship with India through the "Global and Strategic Partnership". In September 2014, Prime Minister Abe visited Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Japan came forward with big investment proposal to Bangladesh and through the back-to-back visits of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan and Prime Minister Abe to Bangladesh entered into a “Comprehensive partnership”.

As Bangladesh positions itself as a strategic geo-politically important country, Japan continued to retain its interest in Bangladesh as an important partner in Indo-Pacific. However, there is a need to keep in focus the new realities and set a new direction for Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with Japan for mutual benefit.

The year, 2022, was a remarkable landmark as Bangladesh and Japan celebrated as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Bangladesh-Japan diplomatic relations. The Embassy also arranged the official visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in April 2023 which was an epitome of all the celebration held. During this visit, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Japan signed a Joint Statement on “Strategic Partnership”.  Nine instruments were signed between the two countries to institutionalize cooperation in the areas of Customs, ICT and Cybersecurity, Defense, Industrial upgradation, Agriculture, Metro Rail, Ship Recycling, Intellectual property and Children’s Library setup. 

In addition to the above, VVIP visit there was regular visit by the Hon’ble Minsiters, Secretaries and high officials of the government to Japan during 2022-2023. The Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP; Hon’ble Foreign Minister, Dr. A K Abdul Momen, MP (April 2022, September 2022 for Shinzo Abe’s State Funeral and then with HPM in April 2023); several Hon’ble Ministers, the then Principal Secretary, the Foreign Secretary, the Senior Secretary Commerce and from the Armed Forces, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staffs visited Japan.

The Embassy continued to liaise with different ministries and agencies in Japan in promoting economic, trade and investment relations with Japan, arranged meetings, seminars, and public diplomacy initiatives in relevant areas. Due to the effort of the Embassy, the flow of technical intern and specified skilled workers have started to increase steadily. With the commencement of regular flights (3 flights per week) of Bangladesh Biman on Dhaka-Narita-Dhaka route, there is prospect of more people-to-people contact and resulting stronger bilateral relations in the days ahead.

Important visits (2022-2023): 

A. Incoming Visit from Bangladesh to Japan

•  Visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 24-28 April 2023
• Visit of the Hon’ble Speaker of Bangladesh, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP, 24-29 May 2023.
•  Visit of the Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Mr. Zahid Maleque, MP, to Nagasaki to attend ‘Japan Health Systems Flagship Course’ program, 14-18 May 2023.
• Visit of the Hon'ble Minister for Food, Mr. Sadhan Chandra Mojumder, MP, 05-09 February 2023
• Visit of the Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Mr. Md Tazul Islam, on 11-12 January 2023 and 01-06 October 2022
• Visit of the Hon’ble Mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation, Dr. Selina Hayat Ivy, 27 March to 02 April 2023.
• Visit of the Hon’ble State Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Mr. Md Zakir Hossen, MP, 26 May-01 June 2023
• Visit of the Hon’ble Foreign Minister, Dr. A K Abdul Momen, MP, 26-27 September 2022 to attend the State Funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He earlier undertook a bilateral visit to Japan in April 2022.
• Visit of the Hon’ble State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Mr. Nasrul Hamid, MP, 28 July 2022

From Armed Forces:

• A 27- member delegation from the National Defence College (NDC) of Bangladesh visited Japan from 24-30 September 2023 as part of their overseas study tour.
• Visit of the Hon’ble Security Adviser to the Prime Minister, Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, rcds, psc (retired) to attend the Munich Leaders Meeting, 14 -16 May 2023
• Visit of the Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan BBP, BUP, nswc, fawc, psc, Chief of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force, 17-23 February 2023.
• Visit of the Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal, NBP, NUP, ndc, afwc, psc, Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy to attend the International Fleet Review (IFR)2022-Japan and 18th  Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), 04-10 November 2022.
• In April 2023, General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, SBP (BAR), OSP, ndu, psc, PhD, Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army sent a letter to General YOSHIDA Yoshihide, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Force on his appointment and also officially invite to visit Bangladesh.
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B. Outgoing visit from Japan to Bangladesh 

• Visit of H.E. Mr. HONDA Taro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, 25-27 July 2022
• Visit of H.E. Mr. TAKEI Shunsuke, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, 23- 24 November 2022
• Visit of H.E. Mr. NAKATANI Gen, Special Advisor to Prime Minister of Japan on International Human Rights, 19- 21 2023
• Visit of H.E. Mr. TAKAGI Kei, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, 12-13 May 2023
• Visit of H.E. Mr. KOMURA Masahiro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, 6-9 October 2023

Political Consultations

During Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visit to Japan in May 2014 decision has been taken to hold regular Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Japan. After that both sides re-committed themselves to hold regular Foreign Office Consultations between two Governments when Japanese Prime Minister visited Bangladesh in September 2014. Following the decision, the first ever FOC took place in Dhaka in February 2015 followed by 2^nd FOC in Tokyo in November 2018. The 3^rd Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) was held on 25 February 2021. However, due to COVID-19 restriction, the discussions were held online covering issues of bilateral relations.

The 4^th FOC was held in Tokyo, Japan on 28 February 2023 where although all bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest were discussed, the main focus was the imminent official visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to Japan in April 2023. The respected Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Ambassador Masud Bin Momen led the six-member delegation to the 4th FOC comprising of Foreign ministry and Embassy officials. Earlier in February 2021, Foreign Secretary Momen also led Bangladesh delegation to the 3rd FOC, which was held online. Japanese side was led by Mr. YAMADA Shigeo, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and comprised of the officials from the Southwest Asia Division and International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Other significant events:

• Bangladesh also sent a delegation to the Tokyo Olympics 2020 held on 22-27 July 2021 headed by the Hon’ble State Minister for Youth and Sports.
• Bangabandhu corner was inaugurated on 20 October 2020 and a bronze half bust of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was installed on 16 December 2021 at the Chancery building of the Embassy.
• The Embassy also organized a blood donation campaign to mark the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th Anniversary of the Glorious Independence Day of Bangladesh, in cooperation with the Japanese Red Cross Society on 12 December 2021.
• 02 (two) dignitaries from Japan attended the ‘Dhaka Peace Conference’ in person on 04-05 December 2021.
• The Embassy in Tokyo, as one of the 18 select capitals, jointly celebrated Maitri Diwas, the Friendship Day with the Embassy of India on 06 December 2021 with much fanfare.
• Operation/resumption of Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight: The Mission continued to work towards resumption of direct flight between Tokyo and Dhaka. After the appointment of GSA in Japan by Biman Bangladesh and related procedure were completed it was expected that the flight operation would commence in the latter half of 2022. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her official visit to Japan in April 2023 declared that Biman will start operation on Dhaka-Tokyo route from September 2023. The announcement also featured in the Joint Statement of the two Prime Ministers after the bilateral summit held on 26 April 2023. Finally, the most coveted flight of Bangladesh Biman with Boeing 787-
• 800 flew from Dhaka for Narita on 01 September 2023 after a gap of 17 years and landed in Narita International Airport on 02 September 2023. H.E. Ambassador Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmed, his Spouse and all Embassy officials with their spouses were present on this momentous occasion. Biman Bangladesh Airlines also hosted a reception on the inauguration of the Dhaka-Narita Direct Flight at a local hotel in Tokyo on 04 September 2023. Hon’ble State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Mr. Md. Mahbub Ali; Chairman, Biman Board of Directors and Managing Director, Bangladesh Biman who flew in the first flight to Tokyo attended the reception. A large number of Bangladeshi expatriates in Japan, Ambassador of Nepal  and First Secretary of Indian Embassy, representatives of Japanese companies and businessmen attended the event.

Bilateral Agreements/MoUs:

Over the years, Bangladesh and Japan has signed a number of Agreements/MoUs to strengthen and institutionalize cooperation between them. The important documents signed between the two countries are mentioned below: