Koichi Mizushima, a spokesperson for the Japan Foreign Ministry, informed journalists on Saturday that the purpose of the foreign minister's visit to Bangladesh was to strengthen cooperation with a country that has always been friendly towards Japan. This visit by Kishida marks the first time a foreign minister has visited Dhaka since the controversial Jan 5 parliamentary election, which the opposition BNP and its allies boycotted. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of this visit for enhancing the bilateral relationship, especially since a new government has been formed. The focus of the discussions between the two foreign ministers was on establishing a comprehensive partnership, covering various aspects beyond just politics. The spokesperson highlighted the growing economic relationship between Japan and Bangladesh, with Japanese investment in Bangladesh increasing significantly in recent years. Japan is the largest bilateral development partner for Bangladesh, providing various forms of assistance such as grants, aid, technical support, and soft loans. The two countries are currently in negotiations for a new loan package, with Japan committing to provide a significant amount for projects in the energy and city development sectors. The spokesperson also mentioned Japan's recognition of Bangladesh's economic potential and strategic location, and the mutual interest in enhancing regional connectivity and addressing climate change issues. The two foreign ministers discussed various areas of cooperation, including the possibility of an Economic Partnership Agreement and visa exemptions for diplomatic personnel. Japan also expressed interest in financing key infrastructure projects in Bangladesh and setting up a Peace-building Centre in the country. Bangladesh invited Japan to participate in the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai next year.