Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Japan for the first time to promote industrial cooperation and human resource exchange. He was welcomed by the Japan-India Governors’ Network for Friendship and Exchange, led by Yamanashi Governor Kotaro Nagasaki, and met representatives of seven Japanese companies that outlined their capabilities and investment needs in Uttar Pradesh.
Adityanath presented Uttar Pradesh’s case to visiting executives, stressing the state’s large, young workforce—about 250 million people overall, with half in the active labor pool—and the resulting investment potential. He detailed infrastructure strengths, including a high share of India’s highways, extensive rail and metro networks, multiple airports and the upcoming Noida International Airport. He highlighted the new rapid transit linking Meerut and Delhi, which cuts travel time from three hours to 50 minutes and improves logistics.
On agriculture, he described Uttar Pradesh as an “Indian Food Basket,” noting it accounts for roughly 11% of India’s agricultural land and about 21% of national grain production. He said ample land is available for large industrial parks and pointed to opportunities in waste treatment, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, dairy, and hydrogen energy. He also noted a vibrant startup ecosystem of more than 20,000 startups, including around 10,000 led by women.
Governor Kotaro Nagasaki described Yamanashi as a gateway that can connect Uttar Pradesh with eight other Japanese prefectures and said Japanese firms are keen to collaborate. Company proposals included:
– Kanadevia Corp.: waste-to-energy, biogas, water treatment and hydrogen supply-chain solutions to support cleaner environments.
– KOSE Corp.: cosmetics and skincare (active in India via the Spawake brand); seeks OEM partnerships and local sourcing of materials.
– KYOWA Leather Cloth Co.: leading artificial-leather maker planning a production facility near Noida to serve growing Indian auto production.
– SHIMIZU Corp.: construction partner with port, subway and plant experience; looking to expand in northern India.
– Sumitomo Mitsui FGG: financial services provider aiming to scale services for Japanese firms operating in India.
– SUNTORY HD: beverages and spirits exporter seeking streamlined procedures for new brand registration.
– TOMOE SHOKAI CO.: specialty gases and hydrogen supply for energy transition and semiconductor-related industries.
Indian consultant Neerendra Upadhyaya praised the quick follow-up to the December 2024 MOU between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi, calling the multi-governor collaboration a clear roadmap for mutual benefit. The discussions and the chief minister’s presentation energized Japanese prefectures and private companies and marked a step toward a deeper, long-term India–Japan partnership.
