CA Yunus reaches Japan for four-day state visit

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has reached Japan for a four-day state visit.

The chief advisor reached Japan's Narita International Airport at 2:05pm local time on Wednesday, according to his office.

Earlier, the aircraft carrying him departed Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 2:15am on Tuesday.

During the visit, Yunus will attend the 30th Nikkei Forum and hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)

The foreign ministry said seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed covering investment, energy, and technology sectors.

Discussions are also likely on budget support and a “note exchange” to upgrade the Joydebpur-Ishurdi railway line to a dual-gauge double track.

Following his arrival in Tokyo, Yunus will meet Taro Aso, president of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL), at 5pm on Wednesday.

In the evening, he will attend a dinner hosted by Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Nippon Foundation, followed by a meeting with prominent Japanese figures.

Before the Nikkei Forum begins on Thursday, senior executives of Nikkei Incorporated will hold a courtesy meeting with Yunus.

Yunus will deliver the keynote speech at the forum’s opening session, addressing “Asia’s challenges in a turbulent world”.

The forum will be attended by presidents of Laos and Palau, prime ministers of Japan and Cambodia, deputy prime ministers of Vietnam and Singapore, ministers, policy experts, academics, and representatives from international organisations.

On the same day, Yunus will join a seminar on human resource development organised by the Bangladesh embassy in Tokyo.

He will deliver a special speech on Bangladesh’s growing potential to meet Japan’s demand for skilled workers.

The chief advisor will also meet key Japanese partners, including Tanaka Akihiko, president of JICA, to review ongoing development cooperation and projects funded by JICA in Bangladesh.

He will give interviews to leading Japanese media outlets including Nikkei, NHK, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi TV and Nippon TV.

On the evening of May 29, Yunus will attend a dinner hosted by the Nikkei Forum in honour of distinguished speakers.

On Friday morning, Yunus will hold a bilateral meeting with Ishiba at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo.

Before the meeting, he will be accorded a red carpet welcome and a guard of honour.

The discussions will cover trade and investment, infrastructure development, agricultural cooperation, human resource development and the Rohingya crisis, according to the foreign ministry.

Yunus is also scheduled to meet Kimura Fukunari, president of JETRO, to discuss ways to increase bilateral trade and investment.

He will participate in a roundtable with Japanese investors and attend the Bangladesh Business Seminar.

At the seminar, he will exchange views with global CEOs, members of the social business circle, and young professionals from both countries.

In recognition of his contribution to social innovation and global development, Soka University will award Yunus an honorary doctorate in the afternoon.

He will deliver a speech to the audience during the ceremony.

That evening, Yunus will attend a community reception organised by the Bangladesh embassy in Tokyo where he will meet expatriate Bangladeshis.

He will then join a dinner hosted by the Bangladesh ambassador at Bangladesh House in Japan.

On Saturday morning, the chief advisor will leave Tokyo on a Singapore Airlines flight, scheduled to arrive in Dhaka via Singapore that night.