Desk News || Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave for Japan tonight on a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, attracting Japanese investment and expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the visit is expected to focus on trade, infrastructure development, technology transfer and human resource development.The prime minister is scheduled to depart Dhaka for Tokyo at 12:10 am on Sunday night aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.On Tuesday (October 27), the second day of the visit, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo. The discussions are expected to review existing areas of cooperation and explore opportunities to expand trade and economic ties.He is also scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum and meet with Japanese business leaders.The proposed itinerary includes meetings with senior officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.Visits to an LNG terminal, a power plant, Uniqlo’s headquarters and a Toyota factory are also included in the programme, according to the information provided.Increasing Japanese investment in Bangladesh, creating new employment opportunities and accelerating the implementation of ongoing development projects are among the key objectives of the visit.Implementation of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signed in February 2026, may also feature prominently in the discussions. The agreement is expected to create further opportunities to expand bilateral trade and strengthen economic ties.Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam has indicated that memorandums of understanding or announcements of cooperation may be made in several areas, including agriculture, fisheries, skills development, trade, environmental conservation and the modernisation of local government.Beyond economic cooperation, the two sides may also discuss the Rohingya crisis, energy security, and regional and international peace and stability.The visit is expected to provide an opportunity to deepen the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and Japan while opening up new avenues for investment, trade and development cooperation.