Episode: KPN 08-09-2026

Bangladesh PM urges Japan’s Myanmar envoy to support safe, voluntary Rohingya repatriation

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged Japan’s Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar, Yōhei Sasakawa, to help advance the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar.

Rahman made the appeal during a meeting with Sasakawa at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka on Monday, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. Sasakawa, who also chairs The Nippon Foundation, was visiting Bangladesh as part of his engagement on Myanmar.

The meeting also covered international cooperation on the Rohingya crisis, Japanese investment and a proposal to establish a vaccine production facility in Bangladesh.

Rohingya crisis a major challenge for Bangladesh

Rahman described the prolonged Rohingya crisis as one of Bangladesh’s biggest challenges and thanked Japan for its humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees.

He said Bangladesh’s high population density meant that hosting a large refugee population for an extended period had placed additional pressure on the country’s economy, infrastructure and administrative capacity.

Bangladesh has hosted a large Rohingya refugee population since hundreds of thousands fled Myanmar following the military’s 2017 operations in northern Rakhine State.

Rahman urged Sasakawa to use his position and engagement with Myanmar to support conditions for the refugees’ safe, voluntary and dignified return.

He said Bangladesh was also prepared to provide necessary cooperation for the rehabilitation of Rohingya after their return to Myanmar.

Sasakawa says Rakhine situation could delay repatriation

Sasakawa told Rahman that he had discussed the Rohingya crisis with Myanmar’s president and said he believed Myanmar authorities were sincere about seeking a resolution, according to accounts of the meeting.

However, he acknowledged that the complex situation in Rakhine State meant progress toward repatriation would take time.

Sasakawa assured the prime minister that he would make efforts within his role to contribute to resolving the crisis.

The reported comments come as conditions for large-scale Rohingya repatriation remain a central issue in regional diplomacy surrounding the crisis.

Bangladesh says ready to support Rohingya return

Rahman reiterated that Bangladesh was prepared to cooperate with efforts toward repatriation.

He said returning to their homeland could provide Rohingya with opportunities to improve their lives, including access to education and healthcare.

The two sides also emphasized the need for multilateral initiatives and broader international cooperation to find a sustainable solution rather than relying solely on bilateral negotiations between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The discussion reflects Bangladesh’s continuing diplomatic effort to keep the Rohingya crisis on the international agenda while seeking conditions that would enable refugees to return to Myanmar.

Vaccine production and Japanese investment discussed

Beyond the Rohingya crisis, Rahman asked Sasakawa to support efforts to establish a vaccine production centre in Bangladesh.

Sasakawa said he would work on the matter, according to reports of the meeting.

Rahman also expressed Bangladesh’s interest in attracting greater Japanese investment and said his government was working to create a more favorable investment environment.

He additionally expressed interest in improving Bangladesh’s bilateral relationship with neighboring Myanmar.

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

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