New Delhi, 21 October (H.S.): L.S. Bedi, Director of World Connect Education, and Mukul Mehta met Koichi Shiota, Governor of Japan’s Kagoshima Prefecture, in New Delhi to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between India and Japan in trade, education, skill development and employment. The meeting also explored the possibility of organising Japanese employment fairs in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand to familiarise Indian youth with job opportunities in Japan and the workforce requirements of Japanese companies.

Shiota is visiting India as part of a programme organised by the Kagoshima Prefecture-India Friendship Association (KIFA). The meeting was also attended by Navneet Singh Juneja, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of Sunmarks Hospitality, and Rajesh Das, owner of Kotoba Business Consulting. Mehta also discussed opportunities to expand partnerships in student exchange, skill development and employment.

Senior journalist and Hindusthan Samachar Managing Editor Jitendra Tiwari, Vikram Upadhyay, Chandan Bedi and Vikram Singh were among those present, along with members of the Japanese delegation.

The discussions focused on strengthening business-to-business ties between the two countries, exploring investment opportunities and promoting student exchanges. Participants also emphasised the need for skill training and career guidance to help Indian youth access employment opportunities in Japan. Preparing young people to meet the requirements of Japanese companies and familiarising them with opportunities in the international workplace were highlighted as important priorities.

Employment opportunities available to Indian youth under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) programme also featured in the discussions. Participants underlined the importance of informing aspiring candidates about the skills, qualifications and eligibility criteria required for employment in Japan. The proposal to organise job fairs in Noida and Uttarakhand is being considered in this context.

Sunmarks Hospitality’s Role in Strengthening India-Japan Ties

Navneet Singh Juneja, Co-founder of Sunmarks Hospitality, has been associated with Japan since 2003 and brings 23 years of experience in Japanese language, culture and business practices. He began expanding his business operations in India in 2017.

His company operates in the hospitality sector, providing accommodation and other services to Japanese nationals and companies visiting India. Juneja is also working to strengthen business connections and cultural exchanges between India and Japan, particularly between India and Kagoshima Prefecture.

Rajesh Das, owner of Kotoba Business Consulting, discussed ways to improve engagement between Indian and Japanese businesses and explore opportunities for long-term commercial partnerships. Representatives and businesspeople associated with various Japanese enterprises also participated in the meeting, where the expansion of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education and employment was discussed.

L.S. Bedi, Director of World Connect Education, highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation between the two countries in education, skill development and employment. He also stressed the importance of informing students about international education opportunities and providing the necessary guidance to young people seeking employment in Japan.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar