Describing the talks as “productive” and “purposeful”, Modi said “strong democracies are natural partners in shaping a better world”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on Friday. (AP)
PM Modi meets Japanese governors in Tokyo, boosting India-Japan ties in tech and investment. Explore state-prefecture partnerships for global growth.
News Article
PM Modi Calls for Deeper India-Japan Ties in Tokyo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met governors from 16 Japanese prefectures in Tokyo on August 30, 2025. He pushed for stronger links between Indian states and Japanese areas. This move aims to grow partnerships in tech, innovation, and business. The Ministry of External Affairs shared details in a statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba
Modi highlighted old bonds between India and Japan. These ties come from shared history and culture. Now, they flourish in new ways. He said it’s time to expand beyond Delhi and Tokyo. States and prefectures can team up more. This will help in trade, tech, tourism, skills, security, and culture swaps.
During the talks, Modi urged action under the State-Prefecture Partnership Initiative. Leaders launched this at the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. It focuses on shared progress. Discussions covered ways to deepen ties in technology, innovation, investment, skills, start-ups, and small firms.
Modi noted each Japanese prefecture has unique strengths in economy and tech. Indian states have their own skills too. He invited governors to join India’s growth story. He called for joint work in youth and skills exchange. Plus, mixing Japanese tech with Indian talent.
The governors agreed. They said sub-national links are key. These will lift business, education, culture, and people ties to new levels.
In a post on X, the Ministry said, “Taking greater strides in the steadfast India-Japan ties.” They shared a photo of Modi with the governors.
This meeting fits the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. It builds on past summits. For example, India signed a pact with Japan for low carbon tech. This helps in green growth.
Modi also got a traditional Daruma doll. It stands for good luck and goals.
Beyond this, Modi rode a bullet train with Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba. They went to Sendai city. Modi met Indian train drivers training in Japan. This shows growing ties in transport too.
India and Japan also inked a deal for Chandrayaan-5. This joint moon mission targets water on the lunar south pole. Isro and Jaxa will work together. Modi said this goes beyond Earth. It symbols human progress in space.
The mission uses Japan’s H3 rocket. India makes the lander. Japan builds the rover. Goals include mapping water, drilling soil, and science checks. It lasts 100 days, maybe up to a year.
Now, let’s look at data on India-Japan trade. In 2024, trade hit $21 billion. That’s up 10% from 2023. Japan invests big in India. Over $38 billion since 2000. Key areas: cars, electronics, and pharma.
Here is a simple graph of trade growth. Imagine a bar chart. X-axis: Years 2020 to 2024. Y-axis: Trade in billion USD. 2020: 12.
2021: 15.
2022: 18.
2023: 19.
2024: 21.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Governors of 16 prefectures in Tokyo. Photo: X@MEAIndia
Investment data:
Japan ranks third in FDI to India. In 2024, $3.5 billion came in. Top states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka. Graph: Pie chart. Gujarat 30%, Maharashtra 25%, Karnataka 20%, Others 25%. Highlight Gujarat slice in blue.
These numbers prove growing bonds. More deals mean jobs and tech for both.
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Modi said India is a springboard for Japanese firms to the Global South. Japan plans $68 billion investment in India over 10 years.
This visit comes amid global shifts. Like US tariffs under Trump. India faces 25% extra on some goods. But Modi focuses on self-reliance. Actor Kamal Haasan backed this too.
Modi’s push for state ties opens doors. For instance, Gujarat links with Hyogo prefecture. They share auto and port tech. Tamil Nadu teams with Osaka for electronics.
Youth exchanges grow too. In 2024, 500 Indian students went to Japan. Up from 300 in 2023. This builds skills.
Tourism rises. Japanese visitors to India hit 200,000 in 2024. Indians to Japan: 150,000. Cultural swaps help.
Security ties strengthen. Both face China issues. They work on Indo-Pacific peace.
In space, Chandrayaan-5 follows Chandrayaan-3 success. India landed on Moon’s south pole first in 2023. Now, deeper checks for water ice.
Mission tools: Seven instruments. From India, Japan, ESA, NASA. Like mass spectrometer and neutron ones.
Budget: India approved funds in March 2025. About $100 million.
Meetings like this boost economies. India grows at 7% GDP. Japan at 1.5%. Together, they balance global trade.
Trump’s tariffs hit both. India gets 50% on some items. Japan faces similar. Modi and Ishiba talked stability.
PM Modi with Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba (X/@shigeruishiba)
Modi met ex-PMs Kishida and Suga too. Shows respect for ties.
In short, this visit cements friendship. It brings real benefits. Like jobs, tech, and space wins.
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