JICA President Tanaka Visited the Kingdom of Bhutan and the People's Republic of Bangladesh

From June 27 to July 6, JICA President Tanaka Akihiko visited the Kingdom of Bhutan and the People's Republic of Bangladesh. During his visit, he met with His Majesty the King of Bhutan and the Prime Ministers of both countries, while also engaging in discussions with key government officials. He also attended the inauguration ceremony of the Royal Center for Infectious Diseases (RCID) in Bhutan, commemorating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan, and attended the Memorial Ceremony for the Japanese victims of the Terrorist Attack in Dhaka on July 2 in Bangladesh. Furthermore, President Tanaka visited several JICA project sites to review the achievements of past initiatives and exchanged views on future challenges and development prospects for both countries.

[Kingdom of Bhutan]

On June 28, JICA President Tanaka Akihiko attended the inauguration ceremony of the Royal Centre for Infectious Diseases (RCID) in Thimphu, which was constructed through grant aid from Japan.

RCID has been established as Bhutan’s first specialized hospital for infectious diseases. The Centre is expected to strengthen the country’s capacity for diagnosis and treatment, while also serving as a hub for human resource development in the field of infectious diseases. The facility incorporates extensive use of Japanese technology and expertise in hospital construction and management, and Japanese medical equipment is also being introduced. Through this project, JICA will work together with Bhutan to enhance the country’s capacity to respond to infectious diseases and further strengthen its healthcare system.

Furthermore, President Tanaka delivered a lecture at the Royal University of Bhutan and had audiences with His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, while also meeting with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and key government officials. At each meeting, President Tanaka received expressions of appreciation for the cooperation extended by the people of Japan, and discussions were held on Bhutan’s challenges and measures to address them. Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between Japan and Bhutan for the country’s sustainable development and confirmed their commitment to further strengthening the partnership between the Government of Bhutan and JICA.

Bhutan maintains a wide range of exchanges with Japan, where Japanese people are held in high regard and respect. Even before the establishment of diplomatic relations 40 years ago, Mr. Keiji Nishioka, a Japanese agricultural expert dispatched by the Overseas Technical Cooperation Agency (now JICA) to Bhutan, was awarded the title of “Dasho” (meaning “a person of the highest excellence”) by His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan in recognition of his outstanding achievements. He came to be affectionately known as “Dasho Nishioka” in the country.

[People's Republic of Bangladesh]

In Bangladesh, President Tanaka attended a memorial ceremony for the seven Japanese citizens who lost their lives in July 2016 in the terrorist attack in Dhaka, while working on the preparatory study for the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project.

The ceremony took place on July 2 in front of a memorial monument located within the depot of Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line 6, which was constructed under a Japanese ODA loan project. Distinguished representatives of the governments of Bangladesh and Japan were in attendance, including Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shimada Tomoaki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; Mr. Saida Shinichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Secretary, Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Road Transport and Highways Division, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges; Additional Secretary & Wing Chief (America & Japan), Mr. Mohd. Ahsan Kibria Siddiqui, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance; Director General, East Asia & Pacific Wing, Mr. Mohammed Nore-Alam, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Managing Director, Mr. Md. Shaugatul Alam, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited. Marking the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attack, President Tanaka expressed his sincere condolences to all those who lost their lives, including the seven Japanese citizens, and paid tribute to their significant contributions to the development of Bangladesh. He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the tragedy must never be repeated and renewed his pledge to promote safety and peace.

During his meeting with H.E. Mr. Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, who formed a new administration following the general election in February 2026 after the interim government in place since August 2024, appreciation was expressed for JICA’s long-standing cooperation. His gratitude was also conveyed for the recent Japanese ODA loan programme “Emergency Support Loan for Enhancing Economic Resilience and Stable Energy Supply” signed in June 2026. As this is the first ODA loan programme under the POWERR Asia initiative—the Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia—announced by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in April 2026, both sides reaffirmed its significance in contributing to stabilize the economic foundation under the new administration and strengthen a reliable energy supply. They also exchanged views on promoting ongoing projects and future possibilities for cooperation across a wide range of fields, including the “Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI)” and the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ).

President Tanaka visited Cox’s Bazar camps for displaced persons from Rakhine State, where he exchanged views with the relevant government agency. He also conducted a site visit to humanitarian operations on the ground, including livelihood enhancement initiatives conducted in partnership with JICA, as well as food distribution, healthcare services, and vocational training provided by United Nations agencies and other organizations. In addition, he observed a cooperative initiative aimed at boosting the income of fishing communities as part of cooperation for host communities. Furthermore, he visited a project site under the Moheshkhali Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI), including the Matarbari Port, which is currently under construction and is set to become the country’s first deep-sea port. He affirmed that this initiative contributes to the realization of “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and highlighted its strategic importance for Japan, as it strengthens regional connectivity and forms a vital foundation for industrial development.

In Dhaka, President Tanaka visited major infrastructure facilities, including MRT Line 6, which has contributed to improvements in urban transportation, as well as the newly constructed airport terminal. He observed ongoing progress in urban development underpinning the country’s sustainable economic growth, underscored by the involvement of Japanese companies, and noted that Bangladesh’s continued growth is further encouraging the expansion of Japanese business presence in the country.

JICA will continue to cooperate with Bhutan and Bangladesh in their efforts toward sustainable and equitable economic growth as well as inclusive development.