Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will visit Japan from May 28 to 31 for high-level bilateral talks, with Tokyo preparing a red carpet welcome and guard of honour, officials confirmed Monday.

UNB reports that the visit will culminate in a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on May 30 to discuss strategic bilateral issues aimed at deepening cooperation across political, economic, and regional domains.

Acting Foreign Secretary Md Ruhul Alam Siddique told reporters that the focus of the visit is securing $1 billion in budgetary support from Japan through a soft loan. An official announcement is expected after the talks. Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are also set to be signed.

Yunus is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the 30th Nikkei Future of Asia conference in Tokyo, where he was invited earlier this year. He received the Nikkei Asia Prize in 2004.

Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (Big-B) initiatives, with plans to boost infrastructure, manufacturing, and regional development in Bangladesh.

The visit will also cover trade, investment, security, cultural exchanges, and the Rohingya refugee issue.

Yunus departs Dhaka on Tuesday night.