Foreign ministers from Japan, China and South Korea reaffirmed the importance of denuclearization on the Korean peninsula and sought common ground in areas like aging, low birth rates, natural disasters and cultural exchange at a meeting that took place at a time of growing tensions. At a joint news conference after the talks, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said he, his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and South Korea’s Cho Tae-yul agreed on the need to promote mutual understanding and tackle shared, multi-generational concerns to gain wider support for trilateral cooperation. Iwaya emphasized his concerns about North Korea' s nuclear and missile development and cooperation with Russia as regional threats, and stressed the importance of pursuing the North's full denuclearization under the U.N. Security Council resolutions. Iwaya reiterated Japan's condemnation of Russia's war on Ukraine, adding that there is no place in the world for unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, a subtle message about China's growing assertiveness in the region. Wang said that China supports the formation of a mutual regional economy and proposed further efforts toward achieving an economic framework for the three countries. He said trilateral cooperation in a range of areas including technology, climate exchange and other issues will “serve as key driving force for East Asian cooperation.” Japan's leader calls for common ground ahead of key meeting with China and South Korea The meeting on Saturday focuses on plans for a trilateral leaders' summit later this year amid growing political and economic uncertainty at home and challenges from U.S. President Donald Trump. The three-way meetings are an accomplishment for Japan, which has historical and territorial disputes with both China and South Korea. An earlier trilateral meeting was held in South Korea last year. Cho, whose country chaired their leaders’ first summit after a four-and-half-year hiatus due to the pandemic, said the ongoing global crisis makes the trilateral cooperation more important than ever and it is important to maintain their positive flow. He said that their cooperation is especially important as the world faces tension and divisions, and that their cooperation in areas of common challenges will set a good model for global cooperation. Later Saturday, delegations from Japan and China were to meet separately to hold their first high-level economic dialogue since April 2019. Iwaya and Wang will also hold separate bilateral talks with Cho.

Bangladesh and Japan on Wednesday discussed the progress of the projects taken under the Public Private Partnership Platform in Bangladesh, particularly of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Terminal-3 project and cooperation in the railway and road transport sector of Bangladesh. A Bangladesh delegation led by Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Vice Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hirofumi Amakawa at the ministry in Tokyo and discussed the relevant issues.  Japan expresses support to Dr Yunus to establish a new govt Bangladesh delegation informed the Japanese side that the preparation for cargo and ground handling works of the terminal -3 is progressing to open the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the fastest possible time.  Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah assured maximum cooperation from the government of Bangladesh in this regard. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on Kamalapur Multi-Modal Transport Hub, MRT Line 6 and Dhaka Outer Ring Road-2 and 3 projects.  Cooperation was also sought to attract Japanese investment in Bangladesh's tourism sector. Assistant Vice Minister for Engineering and Housing Affairs of Japan Yosuke Tsutsumi and senior officials of the ministry were present on the occasion. Japan’s top investors pledge increased investment in Bangladesh Senior Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division Md. Ehsanul Hoque, Railways Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan, Chief Executive Officer of Public Private Partnership Authority Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan Md Daud Ali and Director General of Chief Advisor’s office Dr Ahmed Ullah were, among others, present.  

The number of babies born in Japan in 2024 fell from a year earlier to 720,988, marking the ninth consecutive year of record lows, government data showed Thursday. The preliminary number, including those of foreign nationals, was down by 5 percent, or 37,643, from the previous year, marking the lowest tally since such records began in 1899, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Births decreased in all of Japan's 47 prefectures compared to the previous year, declining at a faster pace than government projections and showing no signs of slowing, the ministry said. The number of marriages, which directly affects the birthrate, stood at 499,999 couples in 2024, up by 10,718 from 2023 when the figure dropped below 500,000 for the first time in 90 years. The number of babies born to Japanese nationals in 2024, to be released by the ministry around June, is expected to fall below 700,000 for the first time amid the downward trend. Meanwhile, the number of deaths in 2024 increased by 1.8 percent, or 28,181, to a record 1,618,684, resulting in the biggest-ever annual decline in total population, the data showed.

The government of Japan and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have recently signed a partnership agreement to improve living conditions, strengthen primary healthcare and empower Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The contribution of USD 1.6 million [JPY 250 million] will support the construction of safer shelters in the Cox’s Bazar camps, the provision of essential medicines and medical supplies, and the engagement of refugees as community health workers. It will also support the self-reliance of refugees in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char through opportunities for self-reliance. “This agreement and contribution from Japan to UNHCR comes at a critical time, when fundraising for the Rohingya refugee response is essential. This project will help empowering and improving refugees’ well-being on Bhasan Char and in Cox’s Bazar, while alleviating the pressure on the Bangladeshi host community,” said Saida Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh. “Japan will continue to work towards sustainable solutions for this humanitarian crisis and will keep cooperating with international organizations such as UNHCR,” he added. “UNHCR is most grateful to the Government and people of Japan for their consistent solidarity and active support to UNHCR and for our work for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh,” said Sumbul Rizvi, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. UN chief writes to CA; hopes ‘wider solutions’ for Rohingya, other minorities “The Rohingya community is resilient and hardworking, and capable of managing their lives in asylum graciously granted by Bangladesh. All they need are opportunities,” she added. As per the agreement, UNHCR will be able to build, maintain and repair safer shelters that can better withstand extreme weather. In Cox’s Bazar camps and on Bhasan Char, access to primary healthcare will be strengthened, focusing on both communicable and non communicable diseases, as well as mental health and psychosocial support. Skills development and self-reliance will be enhanced to provide refugees, particularly women, with the capacity to support their communities and to help them prepare for a safe and sustainable return to Myanmar, once conditions are conducive. Eight years into the crisis, the support from Japan is most timely as UNHCR and its partners, along with the government of Bangladesh, prepare to launch the 2025 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, to support Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi people in neighbouring communities, said the UNHCR. Dr Yunus, UN envoy discuss mobilising more donors for Rohingyas Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has remained a steadfast supporter of the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, contributing over USD 243 million to UNHCR and other UN agencies and NGOs in Bangladesh.

Japanese officials said senior Afghan Taliban officials were in Japan for talks, as part of Tokyo's efforts to help Afghanistan build a more inclusive political system and protect human rights. It's their first known diplomatic trip outside the Central Asia-Middle East region since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021. The unidentified Taliban senior officials were invited by grant-making organization Nippon Zaidan and were also set to talk with Japanese Foreign Ministry officials, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters Monday. The Taliban officials were invited to help them better understand the need “to have a broad perspective toward their future nation building and to widely accept humanitarian assistance from the international community for vulnerable people, Nippon Zaidan said in a statement. It declined to give details of the visitors and their schedule. Japan does not formally recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan's official government. Hayashi noted the visit was initiated by a private organization but complements the Japanese government's effort to work with the international community to call on the Taliban to make policy changes that protect human rights. China says US has 'gravely backpedaled' on Taiwan Restrictions the Taliban impose on women and girls are a major hurdle to the Taliban being recognized as the official government of Afghanistan. The trip was initially revealed by Latif Nazari, the Taliban's deputy economy minister, who posted on the X platform that “a high-level delegation” was heading to Japan and that the Taliban seek dignified engagement with the world as an active member of the international community.

Japan’s top investors have assured an increase in investments in Bangladesh following a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin in Tokyo on Monday. During the meeting, representatives from Japan’s leading business groups—NEXI (NIPPON), Mitsui, Marubeni, HSBC, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, and JT—discussed strengthening economic ties between the two countries. Rizwana seeks ADB’s support for river restoration Bashir Uddin urged Japanese investors to expand their presence in Bangladesh. Highlighting the growing economic relationship between Bangladesh and Japan, the commerce adviser said that bilateral trade volume currently stands at approximately USD 4 billion. He emphasised that Japan is one of Bangladesh’s top five export destinations and noted that more than 350 Japanese companies are currently operating in the country. “Japan is an extremely important strategic partner for Bangladesh. We take great pride in our relationship, as Japan remains one of our closest friends and a major development partner,” said Bashir Uddin. He encouraged the Japanese delegation to consider importing more products from Bangladesh, along with hiring skilled Bangladeshi workers to enhance economic collaboration. UAE urged to lift visa restrictions on Bangladeshi citizens, recruit more workers In response, the representatives from Japan’s top business groups assured their continued business engagement in Bangladesh and committed to increasing investments in the country. The meeting was attended by Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan, Md Daud Ali, JETRO representative Iuji Ando, JICA representative Yasuyuki Murahashi, and Bangladesh’s Commercial Counsellor in Japan, Morarji Desai Barman. Later, Sheikh Bashir Uddin also held discussions with Miki Watanabe, Chairman of Watami Group, further exploring avenues for economic cooperation.  

Japan on Sunday conveyed its commitment to Bangladesh towards supporting the South Asian country and further enhancing the bilateral relationship on all fronts in addition to inviting Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to attend two events to be held there in May. "Japan values its relationship with Bangladesh and has consistently supported it. My visit is to convey our commitment towards supporting Bangladesh and further enhancing our bilateral relationship," Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikuina Akiko told Chief Adviser Dr Yunus when she met him at the State Guest House Jamuna. Tokyo seeks early economic partnership deal with Dhaka to boost trade She invited the Chief Adviser to visit Japan for the Nikkei 30th Future of Asia event to be held on May 29-30 in Tokyo, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. She also invited Dr Yunus, a recipient of the Nikkei Asia Prize in 2004, for Osaka Expo 2025, a separate event, to be held in May. The expo organiser will observe May 11 as Bangladesh Day, and the Japanese Vice-Minister said that the Chief Adviser’s presence there could be encouraging for all.

Japan on Thursday assured continuation of ongoing Japan-funded big projects in Bangladesh, particularly Matarbari Deep Seaport, Matarbari Coal-Fired Power Plant, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (Metro Rail) and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport third Terminal. Japan also promised to continue its trade and development cooperation with Bangladesh and support the interim government of Prof Muhammad Yunus in its efforts to key transitions. Newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi made the promise when he called on Chief Adviser Dr Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna. “We are determined to continue our business with Bangladesh. Not only continue but expand,” Ambassador Saida told the Chief Adviser. Dr Yunus said that Japan is a very important strategic partner for Bangladesh and that his government was looking to develop the relationship further, according to the CA’s press wing. “We are really proud of our relationship with Japan, which is one of our closest friends and a major development partner,” he said. Japan is the single largest bilateral development partner of Bangladesh, which contributed to Bangladesh’s socio-economic advancement greatly over the years.

Bangladesh and Japanese government have signed an agreement aiming to improve the fish landing centre in Cox’s Bazar. The signing ceremony of the ‘Project for Improvement of Fish Landing Center of BFDC in Cox’s Bazar district’ was held on Wednesday at Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo. Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) and JDC-KONOIKE Joint Venture signed the agreement and the project will be implemented with grant assistance from the Japan Government. 2 top UAE companies plan to invest in port development, energy sectors in Bangladesh BFDC Chairman Suraiya Akhtar Jahan signed the agreement on behalf of the Bangladesh Government. She sought Japan’s continued support for the development of Bangladesh’s fisheries sector. Bangladesh’s ambassador to Japan Md. Daud Ali welcomed all and thanked the Japanese Government for continuous support and cooperation in the development of Bangladesh. Mentioning that Japan is Bangladesh's largest single development partner, the ambassador said that this cooperation is gradually expanding in various sectors including trade and commerce, agriculture, infrastructure, communication, health, education, and human resource development. He also hoped that the friendly relations between the two countries will become stronger in the future. Saudi Ambassador honored with prestigious "Bangladesh Medal for Diplomatic Excellence" A grant agreement for the project was signed between ERD and JICA on  March 28, 2024 for an amount of 2.294 billion Japanese Yen (equivalent to Tk. 168.48 crore or 15.31 million USD). The project is expected to turn the Cox's Bazar Fish landing Center into modern fish landing facility that will increase capacity and enhance landing ability for the wholesale fish market.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi has reiterated Japan’s strong support for the interim government of Bangladesh and mentioned that the upcoming Parliamentary Vice Minister level visit will officially convey this message of political support. He met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday and expressed his commitment to stand firmly by the interim government to support their reform efforts and to further strengthen bilateral relations in broad areas under the “Strategic Partnership”. Dhaka seeks faster Canadian visa processing for Bangladeshi students From this perspective, the two sides cordially exchanged views on various issues, including deepening economic ties, enhancing political and security cooperation, Rohingya refugees and other bilateral cooperation agendas. The Ambassador underscored the importance of holding Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) soon and regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries, and expressed satisfaction over the ongoing negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries. The envoy informed that JICA chief is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in March this year. He also told the Foreign Adviser about the Japanese decision to provide five patrol vessels to Bangladesh for coastal area patrolling and their readiness to sign an agreement with the government to provide equipment on air pollution monitoring in Bangladesh. No discussion regarding CA’s China visit, says Foreign Adviser after his bilateral tour The Foreign Adviser thanked the government of Japan for their support for the interim government, and thanked Japan for being Bangladesh’s largest bilateral development partner and acknowledged Japan’s contribution to major development initiatives in Bangladesh. He mentioned that Bangladesh’s relationship with Japan has always been steady and Japanese investments in Bangladesh will always be secured. The Foreign Adviser thanked Japan’s continued efforts towards a durable solution for the safe, sustainable, and dignified return of Rohingyas to the Rakhine State of Myanmar. He also appreciated Japan’s humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas, including those relocated in Bhashan Char. Dr Yunus hailed as "beacon, hero, amazing image of stability" at Davos: Shafiqul Alam Mentioning that recent developments in Rakhine State adding pressure on Bangladesh, he sought Japanese support for the upcoming conference on the Rohingya crisis to be organised by Bangladesh in Doha in collaboration with the United Nations. Both sides talked about bilateral collaboration as well as mutual support in election matters in the international fora, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Adviser wished the new Japanese Ambassador a successful tenure in Bangladesh and expressed hope that the Bangladesh-Japanese relationship will reach a new height during his tenure.