Ties with India changing, says Japanese consul general

Chennai: Contending that India has emerged as a favourable destination for Japanese investors and TN among the most desired destinations for Japanese companies, Japan consul general Mas­anori Nakano underscored the need to take Indo-Japanese relations to a higher level by strengthening the ties between the two countries.

For long, India–Japan cooperation had been in the form of Overseas Deve­lopment Assistance (ODA) but the emerging character of India’s economy has altered the nature of the ties. Japanese businessm­en h­ave started viewing In­dia as a favourable destination for investment and TN as a most desired state. “The stro­­ng and sustainable gro­wth of India during the last decade has opened the prospect for ge­n­uine economic partnersh­ip as well as for more Ja­pa­ne­se inve­stments in In­d­ia,­” he said.

“I believe that the visit of their majesties (Emperor Aki­hito and Empress Mic­hiko) has great significance in taking a new step forward to the next 60 yea­rs after having completed th­e 60th anniversary of Ja­p­an-India diplomatic rel­atio­ns last year,” says Nakano who presided over the birthday celebrations of the Emperor, which falls on December 23, held un­der the aegis of the Jap­a­nese consulate here.

Recalling the role of India’s National Disaster Response Force, in its first overseas mission, in working painstakingly to hunt for the victims of the great east Japan earthquake, br­a­ving cold weather in M­ar­ch 2011, he said both countries have exhibited their war­mth through sentime­nts of standing by ea­ch ot­h­er at times of ne­ed.
According to him, Japan was also keen on participa­ting in the infrastructure development of the st­at­­e. Presently, ODA was be­i­ng extended to the ongoing Chennai metro rail project.