Japan: Increasing people-to-people ties between Wakayama and India discussed
Tokyo, May 28
President of the Japan-India Friendship Promotion Group of Wakayama Prefectural Assembly called on India's Ambassador to Japan, Nagma Mallick, at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, holding discussions on increasing people-to-people ties between Wakayama and India through tourism and cultural exchanges.
"Ambassador Nagma M Mallick was pleased to welcome Mr. NIIJIMA Takeshi, President, Japan-India Friendship Promotion Group of Wakayama Prefectural Assembly, to the Embassy today," the Embassy posted on X after the meeting.
The discussions, it said, focused on increasing people-to-people ties between Wakayama and India through tourism and cultural exchanges.
In February, Nijima Takeshi accompanied Izumi Miyazaki, Governor of Wakayama Prefecture, on a visit to India.
During the visit, Governor Miyazaki also met with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, in Mumbai.
Japan and India, particularly Maharashtra and Wakayama, have a deep and enduring partnership. Maharashtra's decade-long sister-state partnership with Wakayama began in 2013.
"Ensuring that the bond between Maharashtra and Wakayama remains a cornerstone of Indo-Japanese friendship. Collaboration with Japan has powered transformative infrastructure in Maharashtra, including the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, the expansive underground Metro network and the upcoming Bullet Train. Our dialogue focused on elevating this trusted partnership into its next phase, unlocking new avenues of collaboration across strategic sectors," CM Fadnavis said in February.
"To further deepen this engagement, proposed a landmark project to construct a replica of the Bamiyan Buddha in Nagpur with an aim to spread the global message of peace from the very soil where MahaManav Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism," he highlighted.
Akizuki Fuminari, Vice Speaker, Wakayama Prefectural Assembly, and Nijima Takeshi were also present during the meeting.
According to the Consulate General of India Osaka-Kobe, Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna also met with Hirohiko Iwata, Speaker, Wakayama Prefectural Assembly and Niijima Takeshi in July 2025 and discussed strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see cultural diplomacy in action, but we need more substance. Tourism is nice, but what about technology transfer, investment in manufacturing, and student exchange programs? The Bullet Train and Mumbai metro are great, but let's not forget the basics - Japan's expertise in disaster management, water conservation, and clean energy could benefit our villages too. Still, any step toward stronger ties is welcome. 🇯🇵
As someone who's lived in Japan and now works in India, this kind of exchange is exactly what we need. Wakayama is such a beautiful prefecture with rich history and nature - I hope more Indians get to experience onsens and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. The Bamiyan Buddha replica in Nagpur is a brilliant peace initiative. Great to see both countries investing in soft power through culture and tourism. 🌸
This is all well and good, but I hope it's not just photo ops and press releases. The sister-state relationship between Maharashtra and Wakayama has been there for over a decade - what concrete outcomes have we seen? More Japanese tourists coming to India? More Indian students studying in Wakayama? Let's demand measurable results, not just meetings. Still, respect to Ambassador Mallick for her efforts. 🙏
As a history buff, I'm thrilled about the Bamiyan Buddha replica in Nagpur! Those Buddhas were tragically destroyed by Taliban in 2001, and having a replica in the land where Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism sends such a powerful message of peace and resilience. Japan and India - two ancient civilisations with Buddhist heritage, now building a modern partnership. Perfect combination of culture and progress! 🕊️🛕
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