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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated that Bangladesh would extend all forms of cooperation for the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. She remarked that returning to Myanmar would create opportunities for improving the Rohingyas’ standard of living, including access to education and healthcare. Bangladesh is also prepared to provide necessary assistance for their rehabilitation following repatriation.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Monday when Yohei Sasakawa, the Japanese Government’s Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar and Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, paid a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Shahadat Swadhin, the Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary, briefed the media on the meeting.

Discussions during the meeting covered various topics, including a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, repatriation, and bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan.

The Prime Minister noted that the Rohingya crisis is one of the major challenges facing Bangladesh. She pointed out that Bangladesh is already a densely populated country, and hosting a vast number of Rohingyas for an extended period has placed additional strain on the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and overall management systems.

She urged the Japanese Special Envoy to play an active role in ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas. At the same time, she thanked the Japanese government for standing by Bangladesh in addressing this crisis.

Sasakawa acknowledged that he was aware of the immense pressure the Rohingya crisis has placed on Bangladesh. He highlighted the various grants and humanitarian assistance provided by the Japanese government to support the Rohingyas.

He mentioned that he is serving as the Japanese government’s Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar. He also informed the Prime Minister that he has been working for nearly 50 years to establish peace and eliminate discrimination in various parts of the world.

Sasakawa stated that he had discussed the Rohingya crisis with the President of Myanmar and believes the Myanmar government is sincere about resolving the issue. However, he noted that the current complex situation in Rakhine State is delaying progress on Rohingya repatriation.

The Japanese Special Envoy assured the Prime Minister that he would continue to make his utmost efforts to help resolve the Rohingya crisis. The meeting also addressed the need to strengthen multilateral initiatives and international cooperation—rather than relying solely on bilateral efforts—to achieve a sustainable solution to the crisis.

The Prime Minister urged Japan’s special envoy to assist in establishing a vaccine production facility in Bangladesh. Sasakawa assured her that he would work on the matter with sincerity.

Expressing interest in attracting Japanese investment, the Prime Minister stated that the government is working to ensure an investment-friendly environment in the country. She also conveyed Bangladesh’s keenness to further improve bilateral relations with Myanmar.

At the beginning of the meeting, Sasakawa thanked the Prime Minister for granting the audience and highlighted the long-standing friendly ties between Bangladesh and Japan. The Prime Minister also commended his long-standing humanitarian work.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humayun Kabir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-2 Shama Obaid Islam, and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan were present at the meeting.

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