Japanese companies are showing renewed interest in Bangladesh’s expanding economy, with growing inquiries and new ventures across manufacturing, trading, and manpower sectors, according to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

Approximately 330 Japanese firms currently operate in Bangladesh, while others are awaiting greater political stability before entering, particularly in business-to-government (B2G) projects. Those already engaged in government contracts are rushing to complete groundwork within deadlines.

Following the July uprising, private investment has begun to rebound, bolstered by export growth, a rising consumer base, and the availability of affordable skilled labour. “Japanese investment in Bangladesh has not slowed down. In fact, inquiries have increased,” said Kazuiki Kataoka, JETRO’s country representative in Dhaka.

Japanese firms remain primarily focused on business-to-business (B2B) operations such as manufacturing and trading, which are less affected by policy changes. However, interest in the domestic market of 170 million people is growing, with feasibility studies and joint ventures underway.

A recent JETRO-JICA online seminar drew over 330 participants, while seminars in Tokyo and Osaka were oversubscribed, reflecting Bangladesh’s growing appeal.

Key areas attracting investment include manufacturing, food processing, and manpower import. New joint ventures and original equipment manufacturing projects are expected to launch soon.

Japanese carmakers, such as Mitsubishi and Honda, continue to expand their assembly operations in Bangladesh. At the same time, collaboration on training and recruiting Bangladeshi workers is emerging as a promising area, as Japan seeks to address its labour shortages.