Welcome to the Embassy of Bangladesh, Tokyo



Political Relations

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  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 economic infrastructure, poverty alleviation efforts and human resources development including achievement in attainment of MDG goals for Bangladesh. Japan developed infrastructures including roads and bridges in Bangladesh which have directly helped its economy to grow. Japan played great role in supporting Bangladesh at the time of natural disasters. The friendly and peace-loving people in Bangladesh can hardly forget the friendly and peace-loving Japanese people and they discover among each other an ally. The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan grew from strength to strength and entered into an era of wider cooperation and understanding in recent years. The official visit of 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 is perhaps not as important to Japan as Southeast Asia, its own region Far East or Europe or USA. Japan continues to retain its interest in Bangladesh as an important development partner. In fact, in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its ODA to Bangladesh is referred to as a model in positive reference to its content and quality. 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. To retain Japan’s focus, Bangladesh would need to highlight the tremendous benefits to the country from Japan’s quality ODA.

Bilateral Agreement/ Treaties:

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

Sl No.

Year

Title of the Agreement

Name of the Country

Date of sign/entered into force

Remarks

1.

1973

Exchange of Notes concerning the Dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.

Japan

1973

-

2.

1978

Agreement for the Exchange of International Money Orders.

Japan

1978

-

3.

1980

Agreement for Air Services.

Japan

1980

-

4.

1982

Cultural Agreement

Japan

10 February 1982

(Ratified on 13 December 1982)

-

5.

1991

Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.

Japan

1991

-

6.

1999

Agreement concerning the Promotion and Protection of Investment.

Japan

1999

-

7.

2002

Agreement on Technical Cooperation.

Japan

2002

-

8.

2003

Loan Agreement on Paksey-2 Project.

Japan

March 2003

-

9.

2004

Exchange of Notes on 1.46 billion USD Debt Relief Measure

Japan

March 2004

-

10.

2005

Loan Agreement of 11,345 m Yen for Eastern BD Rural Infrastructure Dev. Project.

Japan

March 2005

-

11.

2005

Record of discussion between Japan Int’l Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO) and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Japan

signed in Tokyo in July 2005

-

12.

2005

Bangladesh-Japan Cultural Exchange Agreement.

Japan

2005

-

13.

2005

Exchange of Notes, Record of Discussions, Agreed Minutes concerning the Project for improvement of Metrological Radar System at Cox’s Bazar and Khepupara.

Japan

2005

-

14.

2005

Record of Discussions on Technical Internship Program

Japan

2005

-

15.

2008

Loan agreement for US$ 60 mi towards Emergency Disaster Management Projects.

Japan

25 Feb 2008

-

16.

2008

Japanese Grant for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) of ¥294 million.

Japan

25 May 2008

-

17.

2008

Exchange of notes on Improvement of Audio-Visual Equipment of Bangladesh National Museum of ¥62,300,000.

Japan

August 2008

-

18.

2008

Japan Debt Cancellation Fund (JDCF) worth of BDT 46 billion/ US$680 million.

Japan

26 August 2008

-

19.

2008

Agreement on Technical cooperation between the GoJ and the GoB.

Japan

2008

-

20.

2009

Note of Exchange worth 1.2 billion Japanese Yen on ‘Improvement of Solid Waste Management in Dhaka towards the low carbon society.

Japan

18 February 2009

-

21.

2009

Exchange of notes relating to 30thODA loan package worth ¥39,749 million.

Japan

22 February 2009

-

22.

2009

03 projects under 30thODA Loan Agreement.

Japan

01 March 2009

-

23.

2010

31st Japanese Yen Loan Package

Japan

24 March 2010

-

24.

2011

32nd  Japanese Yen Loan Package

Japan

18 January 2011

-

25.

2012

Exchange of Notes on Improvement of the Capacity of Public Food Storage

Japan

2012

-

26.

2013

33rd  Japanese Yen Loan Package

Japan

20 February 2013

-

27.

2013

34th Japanese Yen Loan Package

Japan

10 March 2013

-

28.

2014

Exchange of notes between the two countries were signed regarding the 35th package of the Official Development Assistance (ODA), under which Bangladesh is receiving $1.18 from Japan for a number of major projects.

Japan

26 May 2014

-

29.

2014

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and JETRO signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish an exclusive industrial park in Bangladesh.

Japan

27 May 2014

-

30

2016

Exchange of Notes Verbal for the visa exemption of Diplomatic Passport Holders

Japan



31

2018

Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Japan to widen the scope of training and jobs for Bangladeshi youths in Japan. Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry for Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan have jointly signed the MoCin Tokyo. 

Japan

29 January 2018



Political Consultation

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 2nd FOC in Tokyo in November 2018. In 2021, 3rd Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) was held (on 25 February 2021) after a gap of two years, where the gamut of bilateral issues was discussed. Hon’ble State Minister for Youth and Sports led the Bangladesh delegation in the Tokyo Olympic 2020 (22-27 July 2021). On the other hand, 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. Furthermore, the operation of direct flight between Tokyo and Dhaka reached at final stage following the appointment of GSA in Japan by Biman Bangladesh and is expected to operational in the latter half of 2022.