Dhaka, Oct. 27 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has voiced his resolve to turn the Bangladesh-Japan friendship into a "powerful engine of economic progress and shared prosperity".

He spoke at a joint news conference at the Kantei, the Japanese prime minister's office in Tokyo, on Tuesday, after a bilateral summit led by the two prime ministers from 11:45am local time.

Opening with the Japanese greeting "Konnichiwa", he thanked Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the Japanese people on behalf of Bangladeshis for the warm welcome and hospitality.

"Japan holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh," Tarique said. "Our friendship rests on mutual respect, trust and the shared goals of peace, prosperity and stability."

Jap...