Mumbai, 13 Feb (HS): A Japanese delegation led by Governor of Wakayama

Province, Izumi Miyakazi met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in

Mumbai in relation with the MoU signed in 2013 and renewed in 2023 for exchange

in sports, tourism and education.

Maharashtra’s

Speaker Rahul Narvekar and Japan’s Commercial Ambassador in Mumbai Yagi Koji,

Wakayama Legislature Deputy Chairman Akizuki Fuminary and representatives of

sports, culture, and industry etc were present.

Fadnavis

said that Maharashtra has friendly relations with Wakayama and is like a ‘sister

state’ of Maharashtra. The two states are making efforts to improve tourism,

exchange of technology and industrial development. With the active cooperation

of Wakayama special efforts are being made to attract Japanese tourists to

Ajanta and Ellora.

During

two visits to Japan, statues of Dr B R Ambedkar was installed in Wakayama and

Koyasan. A team of Sumo wrestlers visited Mumbai and demonstrated their skills

at Gateway of India in Mumbai. Demonstration of Indian wrestling was also held.

Japan’s wrestlers are being trained in Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune,

Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis

recalled association with late Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. During his

tenure projects like Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, underground metro rail in

Mumbai and 22 km bridge over sea were finalised.

Izumi

said that he plans to renew MoU between Wakayama and Maharashtra in 2028 and

improve cooperation between the two states for further development in various

sectors. He recalled that Fadnavis was awarded honorary doctorate by the

Koyasan University in 2023.

A

replica of Bamiyan Buddha idol destroyed in Afghanistan 25 years ago, will be

installed in Nagpur. A proposal has been submitted by Fadnavis to Maharashtra

Governor. Nagpur was proposed for installation of the Buddha statue, as Dr

Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in Nagpur. The statue will be a representative of

friendship between India and Japan and will be inspiring establishment of peace

across the world.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar