Desk Report:
State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque met with Japan Foundation Managing Director Koike Wakao and Hari Yuko at his office on Wednesday (April 01, 2026). The meeting was held at the special invitation of the State Minister to discuss the possibility of establishing a permanent office of the Japan Foundation in Bangladesh and to enhance bilateral cooperation.
At the meeting, the State Minister said, Bangladesh’s relations with Japan are very deep and historic. JICA is one of our important development partners. We are committed to making the Memorandum of Understanding signed on sending skilled workers to Japan a success. If the Japan Foundation establishes an office in Bangladesh, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will provide all necessary support.
Ministry Secretary Md. Mokhtar Ahmed emphasized on the skills of the employees and said that language is not the only major obstacle in finding employment in Japan, but it is also important to have proper knowledge of Japanese culture and manners. If direct training is arranged through Japanese trainers, the employees will easily get used to the working methods of that country.
Dhaka University Professor Abdullah Al Mamun suggested that it is necessary to quickly contact the Japanese Embassy through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifying the areas of assistance for the Japanese. He emphasized that a clear plan should be prepared by the government in advance.
Japan Foundation representative Koike Waka also appreciated the sincerity of Bangladesh and said, “I will definitely convey this message of the government’s interest in opening an office in Bangladesh to our higher authorities.”
Senior officials of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment were present during the meeting.
