How Will India & Japan Strengthen Their Shared Relationship?

Tokyo, June 20 (NationPress) In a significant move to bolster the bilateral Higher Education Relationship and to promote the democratic values common to both India and Japan, the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Prof (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, is scheduled to speak at the Japanese Parliament – the Diet – on June 24.

This distinguished and highly regarded address is aimed at fortifying the democratic principles shared by both nations and commemorates India's 75th anniversary, highlighting the achievements it has made in line with its foundational principles.

As part of this collaborative democratic initiative, Dr. Raj Kumar, alongside Indian delegates, will engage in a Dialogue with the Members of Japan's National Diet.

A notable segment of the visit will include a special speech by Dr. Abhishek M. Singhvi, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, and a Member of Parliament, focusing on the theme: “India and Japan: Partners in Democracy, Drivers of Innovation, and Architects of a Sustainable Future”.

Dr. Raj Kumar’s high-profile academic visit will encompass a series of ambitious events throughout Japan in the upcoming week.

Accompanied by Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and a distinguished delegation of scholars and legal experts, Dr. Raj Kumar aims to cultivate a long-lasting partnership with prominent institutions and thought leaders to enhance the higher education relationship between India and Japan.

The 2nd India-Japan Higher Education Forum 2025 is set to take place this evening, June 20, alongside the unveiling of the Vision Statement for the Singhvi Centre for Constitutional, Parliamentary, and Legal Studies at O.P. Jindal Global University.

This Education Forum will include a Panel Discussion centered on Universities of the Future: Promoting Democracy, Dialogue, and Development in Asia and Beyond, in Tokyo.

His Excellency Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, will grace the event as the Chief Guest, while Abhishek M. Singhvi will serve as the Guest of Honour.

Vice Chancellor Dr. C. Raj Kumar will initiate discussions with panelists: Prof. Matthew J. Wilson, President and Dean of Temple University Japan Campus; Prof. Miki Sugimura, President of Sophia University; Prof. Noriyuki Takahashi from Musashi University; Prof. Sawako Shirahase, Senior Vice Rector at the United Nations University; Prof. Yujin Yaguchi, Vice President of the University of Tokyo; Prof. Maki Kunimatsu, Vice President of Chuo University; and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Michael D. Wilson, Former Judge at the Supreme Court of Hawaii, USA, and Distinguished Professor of Law at O.P. Jindal Global University.

Prof (Dr) C. Raj Kumar remarked, “We will focus on three key themes with our Japanese partners: collaborating in higher education and fostering new partnerships, gaining insights into Indian democratic values and practices, and engaging in a thorough discourse on the climate challenges our nations face. India is experiencing remarkable growth and has recently ascended to the position of the third-largest economy globally. Our enduring and resilient relationship with Japan is marked by consistent high-level meetings for cooperation. This visit aims to strengthen these foundations and unite like-minded scholars, academics, and professionals to enrich our cultural and educational ties.”

During the visit, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed with leading Japanese universities, including Asia University, Chuo University, Doshisha University, Osaka Gakuin University, and Kansai University, among others.

These MoUs will promote student exchanges, collaborative research, academic partnerships, and more. Following this, Dr. Abhishek M. Singhvi and Dr. C. Raj Kumar will address the United Nations University in Tokyo as part of the UNU Conversation series on India and the World: Democracy, Development, and Justice. They will be joined by Prof (Dr) Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.

This landmark event has been collaboratively organized by the Singhvi Centre for Constitutional, Parliamentary & Legal Studies at O.P. Jindal Global University.

“India and Japan share a visionary socio-economic, political, and cultural partnership. As a lawyer, I perceive a mutual commitment to the rule of law and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. India has celebrated 75 years of independence, overcoming numerous challenges while staying true to its core values. Our nation boasts a unique, diverse culture, geography, and population, encompassing various languages, beliefs, and communities. Yet, we consistently find common ground for development, growth, and human upliftment, which has fortified the resilience of Indian democracy,” Singhvi stated.

Additionally, Dr. Raj Kumar will engage with students at Temple University Japan, Kyoto Campus, delivering a lecture on India at 75: The Story of the World’s Largest Democracy, alongside Prof. Matthew J. Wilson, President and Dean of Temple University Japan Campus.

Addressing shared concerns regarding climate change and environmental issues, Dr. Raj Kumar will inaugurate the Japan-India Sustainability Conclave and release JGU’s Sustainability Development Report 2025. This will be succeeded by a Panel Discussion on The Role of Governance Framework in Supporting Biodiversity Conservation and Accelerating Green Innovation, featuring a special address by Prof. (Dr.) Kensuke Fukushi, Director of the Institute for Future Initiatives at the University of Tokyo.

Other panelists include Prof Atsushi Kota, Dean of the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies at Waseda University; Dr Anupam Khajuria, Research Fellow and Academic Associate at UNU-IAS; Prof Masahiro Sugiyama, Institute for Future Initiatives at the University of Tokyo; and Prof Shizuka Hashimoto from the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo.

This will be followed by a seminar hosted by Kyoto University, Kiko Network, and JGU on Lessons from Recent Climate Lawsuits in the United States and India: Implications for Japan in Kyoto; featuring a lecture on Climate Litigation in the United States by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Michael D. Wilson, alongside a lecture on Eco-Constitutionalism in India: Environmental Rights, Judicial Activism, and the Role of Civil Society by Dr C Raj Kumar, and a discussion on Law Policy and the Planet: India’s Pathways to Achieving the SDGs by Abhishek M. Singhvi.

The delegation also includes Justice Michael D. Wilson, Former Judge at the Supreme Court of Hawaii, USA, and Distinguished Professor of Law at O.P. Jindal Global University.

Other members of the delegation comprise Prof R. Padmanabhan, Dean of the Office of Academic Governance at JGU, Prof (Dr) Vesselin Popovski, Vice Dean and Executive Director of the Centre for the Study of the United Nations at JGU, and Prof (Dr) Akhil Bhardwaj, Vice Dean and Director of the Office of International Affairs and Global Initiatives.