Nagoya:Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today experienced Toyota's automotive history firsthand by sitting in a replica of the company's first production passenger car during a visit to the Motomachi factory in Nagoya, Japan. This visit is part of his four-day official tour of Japan.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Prime Minister, accompanied by his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, arrived at the factory at 1030 am local time. Toyota officials extended the invitation for them to sit in the historic vehicle, the Toyoda Model AA. This car, first manufactured in 1936, followed the Toyoda Model A1 prototype developed by the Toyoda family in 1935. A replica of the Model AA is part of Japan's Toyota museum collection.
During Tarique Rahman's visit from October 26 to 29, made at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the two nations signed six bilateral cooperation instruments. Additionally, they secured agreements for two yen-loan projects totaling 46.56 billion yen, approximately US$295.5 million.
Seventeen memorandums of understanding were also signed between private-sector entities. High-level discussions focused on trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, and technology, as Bangladesh and Japan aim to enhance their economic ties following the signing of their first-ever Economic Partnership Agreement in February 2026.