Japan-India Economic Forum Overview
JETRO held the "Japan-India Economic Forum" in Tokyo on August 29, 2025, together with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and other organizations. Approximately 700 participants from both Japan and India's business communities attended, including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
MoU Signing Achievement: In conjunction with the forum, 170 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between Japanese and Indian companies and industry organizations, strengthening concrete cooperative relationships.
Prime Minister Ishiba's Policy Direction
Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the friendly relationship between both countries, stating that "Japan and India are strategic partners sharing universal values of freedom, democracy, and rule of law, having built trust over many years."
Current Economic Relations Assessment: He evaluated that "economic relations are expanding dramatically through the complementary combination of Japan's technology with India's excellent human resources and vast market."
Three Keys for Future Development:
- Promotion of human exchange
- Integration of technology and markets
- Cooperation in critical technology fields including semiconductors
Prime Minister Modi's Cooperation Proposals
Prime Minister Modi positioned Japan as "always an important partner in India's development" and proposed cooperation in five areas:
- Manufacturing
- Technology and Innovation
- Green Energy Transition
- Next-generation infrastructure including Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway
- Skill development and human exchange
Strategic Partnership: He emphasized that "the partnership between Japan and India is strategic, sharing common interests based on economic logic," and declared that India would serve as a "springboard" for Japanese companies' business expansion in the Global South.
Three Panel Discussions
First Session: "Exchange in Advanced Human Resources Fields for Next-Generation Japan-India Economy":
- Haruyuki Hiratani, President of Takasago Electric
- Ryo Umezawa, Executive Officer and India Vice President of Mercari
- Yuichiro Yamada, Representative Director and President of Findy discussed the performance of Indian human resources and recruitment key points
Second Session: "Japan-India Cooperation in Cutting-edge Fields including Semiconductors and Space/Aviation Industries":
- Hideki Kato, Representative Director and President of Astroscale
- Vivek Mahajan, Executive Officer and Vice President of Fujitsu
- Wataru Takahama, Director of Space Industry Division, Manufacturing Industry Bureau, METI explained company businesses and government initiatives
Third Session: "How to Approach Indian and Global Markets through Japan-India Science and Technology Collaboration":
- Yoshiyuki Enomoto, Executive Officer and General Representative of India, Mitsui & Co.
- Koichi Suzuki, Managing Officer and General Manager of India Business Division, Suzuki
- Masako Tanaka, Director of Green Innovation Development Center, Air Water introduced decarbonization-related businesses