How is Arunachal CM Khandu Strengthening India-Japan Ties in Tokyo?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Strengthening cultural ties between India and Japan.
- Exploring investment opportunities in various sectors.
- Encouraging Japanese language learning in India.
- Innovative construction solutions for challenging terrains.
- Collaboration in higher education and disaster management.
Itanagar, Oct 23 (NationPress) Arunachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Pema Khandu is on an official visit to Japan and has conducted a series of meetings in Tokyo aimed at enhancing cultural and economic collaboration between India and Japan.
In a pivotal meeting, the Chief Minister engaged with Yasutoshi Nishimura, a Member of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Japan-India Parliamentary Friendship League.
In posts on social media, Khandu highlighted his discussions with Nishimura, stating: “We deliberated on advancing the India-Japan partnership to fortify our cultural connections and investigate developmental cooperation opportunities.”
Additionally, Khandu reported a fruitful meeting with Toshiaki Nishikawa, Chairman & CEO of ASEAN Group Co. Ltd., emphasizing his commitment to increasing the Indian workforce in Japan while collaborating with several Indian states on Japanese language education and skill development programs. “It’s inspiring to witness these initiatives enhancing the India-Japan partnership,” Khandu remarked.
The Chief Minister shared details of a delightful luncheon meeting with Itsunori Onodera, Chair of the Policy Research Council, Yoshiaki Wada, former Member of the House of Representatives, and Rui Matsukawa, Member of the House of Councillors. “I am thankful for their generous hospitality and insightful discussions aimed at deepening the India-Japan relationship, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision during his recent visit to Japan,” mentioned Khandu.
During an interactive session with Sankyo Frontier Co. Ltd., Khandu noted that their modular and factory-built solutions facilitate rapid deployment in challenging environments, providing sustainable and cost-efficient infrastructure for remote and high-altitude areas. “Innovative concepts like these can truly revolutionize construction in the Himalayas,” he emphasized.
Earlier this week, Khandu visited Sophia University in Tokyo and the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, focusing on opportunities for collaboration in higher education, technology, and disaster management. In several social media updates, he reported meaningful discussions with Prof Miki Sugimura, President of Sophia University, and Prof Sali Augustine SJ, Chancellor, alongside delegates from the Indian embassy in Tokyo. “I was encouraged to discover that Japanese universities are increasingly offering English-medium courses, thereby opening up the education sector for global collaboration,” Khandu said in a post on X.
Chief Minister Khandu commenced his visit to Japan on October 18, with a focus on bolstering bilateral cooperation and exploring mutual interests between the state and Japan. Officials stated that this visit is part of Arunachal Pradesh’s broader strategy to attract investment, strengthen cultural ties, and learn from Japan’s expertise in disaster resilience, energy efficiency, and rural development.