Koichi Mizushima, a spokesperson for the Japan Foreign Ministry, briefed journalists on Saturday that the purpose of the minister's visit to Bangladesh was to enhance cooperation with a country that has traditionally been friendly towards Japan. This visit by Foreign Minister Kishida marks the first visit by a foreign minister to Dhaka after the controversial Jan 5 parliamentary election, which was boycotted by the opposition BNP and its allies. Mizushima stated that the visit was seen as an opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relationship, especially with the formation of a new government. The minister emphasized the importance of a comprehensive partnership during bilateral talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart AH Mahmood Ali. The visit also included a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before departing for Myanmar. Japan has been closely monitoring the political situation in Bangladesh and has expressed concerns about the unrest affecting its investors. The spokesperson highlighted the growing economic relations between the two countries, with Japanese investment in Bangladesh increasing significantly over the years. Japan is the largest bilateral development partner for Bangladesh, providing assistance in various forms such as grants, aid, technical assistance, and soft loans. Both countries are currently negotiating on a new soft loan package, with Japan already committing to a loan for projects in the energy and city development sectors. The spokesperson also mentioned the ongoing discussions on an Economic Partnership Agreement and the potential for Japan to finance key infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. Additionally, the two foreign ministers discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest and agreed to work together on areas such as climate change and disaster management. Japan also expressed interest in setting up a Peace-building Centre in Bangladesh and initiating consultations on this matter.