PM Tarique Urges Japan to Support Safe, Dignified Rohingya Repatriation

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday urged Japan’s Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar, Yōhei Sasakawa, to contribute to efforts to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland.

Sasakawa, who also serves as chairman of the Nippon Foundation, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.

During the meeting, Sasakawa said he had spent nearly five decades working to promote peace and address inequality around the world. He also briefed Tarique on his efforts and role in Myanmar’s national reconciliation process.

Referring to the immense pressure created by the Rohingya crisis, Sasakawa said he was aware of Bangladesh’s situation and outlined Japan’s humanitarian assistance and grant support for the Rohingya community.

Tarique Rahman thanked Sasakawa for visiting Bangladesh and praised his decades-long humanitarian efforts.

The Prime Minister described the Rohingya crisis as one of Bangladesh’s major challenges and expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its continued support.

“Bangladesh is already a densely populated country. Hosting a huge number of Rohingyas for a prolonged period has created additional pressure on our economy, infrastructure and overall management,” he said.

Tarique said Bangladesh would provide all necessary cooperation to support the rehabilitation of Rohingyas in Myanmar following their repatriation.

Sasakawa said he had raised the Rohingya issue with Myanmar’s president and believed the Myanmar government was sincere in its efforts to resolve the crisis. However, he noted that the complex situation in Rakhine State meant that progress toward repatriation would take time.

The Prime Minister reiterated Bangladesh’s readiness to extend full cooperation to facilitate the repatriation process, saying their return home would create opportunities to improve their living standards, including access to education and healthcare.

Sasakawa assured Tarique that he would make his utmost efforts to help resolve the Rohingya crisis.

The two sides also stressed the importance of stronger multilateral initiatives and international cooperation, rather than relying solely on bilateral efforts, to achieve a sustainable solution to the crisis.

Tarique also sought Japan’s cooperation in establishing a vaccine production centre in Bangladesh, to which Sasakawa pledged to work sincerely.

The Prime Minister further said Bangladesh was keen to attract greater Japanese investment and that his government was working to create a more investment-friendly environment.

He also expressed Bangladesh’s interest in further strengthening bilateral relations with Myanmar.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister-1 for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, State Minister-2 for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan were present at the meeting.