Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday, 24 August launched his four-day official visit to Japan — spanning Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka — at the head of India's largest-ever business delegation to the country, comprising more than 200 representatives across sectors. The visit is aimed at deepening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership through expanded trade, investment, and industrial collaboration.

Key Meetings in Tokyo

Goyal opened his engagements with a meeting with Shingo Ueno, President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation, covering opportunities in energy transformation, mobility, and industrial infrastructure. 'We discussed opportunities to deepen the company's engagement with India across energy transformation, mobility and industrial infrastructure,' Goyal said in a post on X.

He also held talks with Toshiaki Nagasato, President and Representative Director of Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector and expanding the company's manufacturing and R&D footprint in India. 'India's pharmaceutical ecosystem offers significant opportunities for our Japanese partners to scale and achieve long-term growth,' Goyal said.

Sectors Covered by the Delegation

The 200-plus member delegation spans a wide cross-section of Indian industry, including manufacturing, semiconductors, clean energy, steel, automotive, financial services, healthcare, and start-ups, according to an official statement. The breadth of representation signals India's intent to position itself as a comprehensive partner for Japanese capital and technology.

In Tokyo, Goyal was scheduled to meet top leadership of major Japanese conglomerates and hold a round-table with Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), the apex body representing over 1,500 leading Japanese companies. Dedicated sessions on semiconductors and artificial intelligence, start-ups, and engagement with foreign institutional investors are also on the agenda.

Osaka Roadshow to Cap the Visit

The delegation's visit is set to conclude in Osaka with an Investors and Business Roadshow, along with targeted meetings with leading Japanese companies in electronics, industrial, and consumer sectors. The roadshow is designed to showcase opportunities across India's manufacturing, clean energy, and consumer markets to Japanese businesses.

Why This Visit Matters

This is the largest Indian business delegation ever sent to Japan, reflecting a deliberate escalation in bilateral economic ambition. The visit comes as both nations look to significantly deepen trade and investment ties under their Special Strategic and Global Partnership framework. Notably, India's growing manufacturing ecosystem — bolstered by Production-Linked Incentive schemes — has increasingly attracted Japanese interest in sectors from semiconductors to pharmaceuticals. The delegation's scale and sectoral diversity suggest New Delhi is moving beyond symbolic diplomacy toward structured, sector-by-sector investment pipelines with Tokyo.

The visit runs through 27 August, with outcomes from the Keidanren round-table and investor roadshow expected to shape the next phase of India-Japan economic engagement.