Lucknow, 21 Aug (HS): Ono Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to

India, paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday. During

the meeting, meaningful discussions were held on further expanding cooperation

between Uttar Pradesh and Japan in the fields of investment, advanced

technology, semiconductors, human resource development, skill training,

employment, and tourism. The Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh is ready to

take its economic and industrial relations with Japan to new heights. The state

offers extensive opportunities for Japanese investors, from micro, small and

medium-sized enterprises to large industries, and through mutual cooperation

between the two sides, these possibilities can be transformed into concrete

results.

During the meeting, a special discussion focused on

India-Japan cooperation in the semiconductor sector. The Japanese side stated

that during Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi's visit to India in July 2026, semiconductors

were included among the five priority areas for Japan-India economic security

cooperation. In this context, a team from the Japanese industry will visit HCL

Technologies along with Semicon India in mid-September. The Uttar Pradesh

government also discussed the possibility of participation in the Semiconductor

Committee meeting of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Japanese

side spoke about a visit by its team to Uttar Pradesh to study the

possibilities in the semiconductor sector. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

stated that there is vast potential for cooperation between Japan's technical

expertise and Uttar Pradesh's industrial capabilities in this important area of

advanced technology.

The Chief Minister stated that Uttar Pradesh offers vast

investment opportunities for Japanese companies. Japanese investors, from

micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to large industries, are welcome. The

state's vast market, excellent connectivity, strong industrial base, and

rapidly developing infrastructure provide a favorable environment for Japanese

companies. Japan City in Noida is a key hub for this partnership. The proximity

of major industrial clusters and excellent connectivity offer even greater

investment potential. Japanese companies such as Yamaha, Denso, NTT Data, Toyo

Inc., and Panasonic have established their presence in Uttar Pradesh. Kubota is

also working on manufacturing tractors and construction machinery near Japan

City. Discussions were also held on further expanding Japanese investment in

the state through collaboration with JETRO and the Japan Chamber of Commerce

and Industry.

Further strengthening cooperation between Uttar Pradesh and

Japan in the field of human resource development was also discussed. The Chief

Minister stated that Uttar Pradesh has a large number of young human resources

and their skills development can be further enhanced to meet the needs of

Japanese industries. Through Japan's Technical Training Program and Special

Skilled Worker Program, youth from the state are getting opportunities to work

in Japan and gain international work experience. The two sides discussed the

possibilities of cooperation in developing skill development centers where

youth could be provided with technical and employment-oriented training

tailored to the needs of Japanese industries. This would help directly link

skill development to employment opportunities.

Preparing the youth of Uttar Pradesh for employment

opportunities in Japan in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and

nursing care was also discussed. In this context, the job fair held in March at

R.B. PG College, Agra, to promote employment opportunities in the agricultural

sector in Japan was mentioned. The agreement between Amity University and

Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, to develop internship and training opportunities for

students was also cited as an important initiative for growing human resources

cooperation between the two countries. By combining Japanese language,

technical skills, and industry-based training, employment opportunities for

youth in Japan can be further expanded.

Important discussions were also held on cooperation in the

field of tourism. The Japanese side requested Uttar Pradesh's participation in

the Tourism Expo Japan 2026 to be held in September. The Chief Minister agreed

to Uttar Pradesh's participation. Both sides considered this event an important

opportunity to showcase Uttar Pradesh's tourist destinations to Japanese

tourists and the tourism industry and to enhance tourism exchanges between the

two countries. In 2025, 2.19 lakh Japanese citizens visited India, which is

12.5 percent more than the previous year. Uttar Pradesh's Buddhist, spiritual,

cultural and heritage tourist destinations offer immense potential for Japanese

tourists.

The meeting highlighted the shared Buddhist and cultural

heritage between India and Japan as an important link in tourism cooperation.

The Buddhist and cultural ties between Sarnath and Nara, Japan, reflect the

historical connection between the two countries. The year 2027 will mark 75

years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

This occasion was seen as an opportunity to further strengthen tourism,

culture, and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

It is noteworthy that a group of over 200 Japanese industry

representatives is currently visiting Uttar Pradesh in connection with the

Uttar Pradesh-Japan Investment Summit. Dialogues with Japanese investors across

various sectors have resulted in the signing of several Memorandums of

Understanding (MoUs). These investment proposals are expected to create

approximately 10,000 jobs.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi