Bangladesh’s prime minister has urged Japan’s special envoy on Myanmar to help advance the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya refugees, while acknowledging that conditions inside Arakan State remain difficult.
by RK Desk
Dhaka, 7 September 2026: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged Japan’s Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar, Yōhei Sasakawa, to play a role in ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland.
Sasakawa, who is also chairman of the Nippon Foundation, met the prime minister at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Tarique described the Rohingya crisis as one of Bangladesh’s biggest challenges and thanked Japan for its continued humanitarian support.
He said Bangladesh was ready to provide necessary cooperation for the return of Rohingya refugees and for their rehabilitation in Myanmar after repatriation.
Sasakawa said he had discussed the Rohingya crisis with Myanmar’s president and believed Myanmar authorities were serious about seeking a solution.
However, he also acknowledged that the complex situation in Arakan State meant progress on repatriation could take time.
Sasakawa assured Tarique that he would make efforts to help address the Rohingya crisis.
The two sides also stressed the need for stronger multilateral and international cooperation rather than relying only on bilateral talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Tarique said the return of Rohingya refugees should allow them access to better living conditions, including education and healthcare.
The meeting comes as more than one million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh while conditions for large-scale safe and sustainable return to Myanmar remain unresolved.
No new repatriation agreement, timetable or protection mechanism was announced during the meeting.
