A high-level delegation led by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is currently in Japan on an official mission to forge strategic partnerships, strengthen bilateral cooperation, and explore investment opportunities across key sectors. The visit, facilitated by the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and the Department of Industries & Commerce, is aimed at laying the groundwork for long-term developmental collaboration between Nagaland and Japan.
The delegation includes Abu Metha, Chairman of IDAN; Hekani Jakhalu, Advisor, Industries & Commerce; Kumar Ramnikant, Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce; and other senior officials.
Ahead of the Chief Minister’s arrival, Metha and Jakhalu led a series of high-level meetings in Tokyo on July 4 with top Japanese institutions including the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Konnekt Asia, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Drawing upon the unique World War II legacy and decades of people-to-people relations between Nagaland and Japan, the meetings focused on strengthening collaborative efforts in human resource development, hospitality, healthcare, tourism, sports, arts and culture, and film.
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation shared insights into its ongoing projects in the North Eastern States of India, with a focus on people-to-people contact, Track Two diplomacy, peacebuilding, and knowledge exchange.
Metha emphasised the shared wartime legacy between Japan and Nagaland and highlighted the importance of transforming the painful memories of war into constructive partnerships for peace and cooperation.
JICA expressed interest in expanding human resource exchange programmes by linking Japanese industry requirements with Indian talent pools. The Chairman of IDAN conveyed appreciation for JICA’s ongoing work in Nagaland and discussed potential areas of further collaboration.
With NYK Line, discussions centred on the company’s contributions to Nagaland and the scope for expanding engagements, particularly in the services and hospitality sector, to generate employment and capacity-building opportunities for the youth.
The delegation also visited Kochi Prefecture, where detailed deliberations were held on joint initiatives related to human resource development, skill enhancement, capacity building, and technology transfer in sectors such as food processing, agriculture, and allied industries. The teams explored the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Nagaland and the Government of Kochi, a Japanese Prefecture.
Nagaland’s high literacy rate, English proficiency, and strong social and cultural capital were highlighted as key strengths. The State Government also presented its new Industrial Policy, which offers incentives and a conducive environment for investment and responsible business practices.
“These exploratory meetings serve as a foundation for the official engagements scheduled during the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s visit to Japan, where the discussions are expected to be further consolidated and formalised,” stated an update from the DIPR.