DHAKA, May 25, 2025 (BSS) - Japan today said the upcoming official visit of Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus to Tokyo is expected to further strengthen the longstanding and friendly relations between the two countries.

"Japan is eagerly awaiting a cabinet decision on Bangladesh's request for US$1 billion in budgetary support as a soft loan," Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi told a press briefing here this evening ahead of a four-day visit of Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus scheduled for May 28-31.

He said Japan has been a steadfast development partner of Bangladesh and reiterated Tokyo's commitment to continued cooperation in various sectors, including infrastructure, energy and economic development.

Chief Adviser Professor Yunus is scheduled to leave Dhaka for Tokyo in the early hours of Wednesday. During the visit, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and deliver the keynote speech at the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia, a prestigious platform gathering Asian political and business leaders, academics and policymakers.

Speaking at a separate briefing earlier in the day, acting Foreign Secretary Md Ruhul Alam Siddique said the visit will focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure and strategic areas.

Ambassador Shinichi highlighted that over 350 Japanese companies are currently operating in Bangladesh and noted that Japan has extended financial assistance worth $24.72 billion since the country's independence.
 
He said Japanese firms remain highly engaged and many are exploring new ventures, particularly in infrastructure, including railways and highways.

"The current projects are progressing steadily. This reflects the strong commitment of both the Japanese government and Japanese companies to Bangladesh's development," he added.

About regional connectivity initiatives linking the Cox's Bazar-Chattogram region with northeastern India, the ambassador refrained from commenting on regional aspects but emphasized Japan's focus on infrastructure development within Bangladesh.

He also revealed that under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework, Japan will provide four patrol vessels to Bangladesh while discussions are ongoing between the two governments regarding a proposed defence cooperation agreement.

The visit is expected to mark a new chapter in the Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership, with both sides seeking to enhance cooperation under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative and Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.