The Japan-India Economic Forum was jointly hosted on August 29, 2025, by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Japan-India Business Cooperation Committee, and the Embassy of India in Japan. This report focuses on Minister Muto's participation and the announcement of 170 private sector memoranda.
Forum Achievements
Announcement of 170 Private Sector Memoranda: In the presence of Prime Minister Ishiba and Indian Prime Minister Modi, 170 private sector memoranda concluded since 2023 were announced. This clearly demonstrated the deepening Japan-India economic relations, promotion of private business, and future enhanced cooperation.
Speeches by Both Leaders: Speeches were delivered by Prime Minister Ishiba and Prime Minister Modi, with reports also given on the joint statement from the Business Leaders Forum by Keidanren and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Minister Muto's Contribution
Closing Remarks: Minister Muto delivered the closing remarks for the forum, celebrating the announcement of 170 memoranda while emphasizing the strengthening of Japan-India economic relations. He welcomed the multifaceted discussions covering human resource exchange expansion, advanced technology cooperation, and economic security, expressing the importance of cooperation supporting next-generation growth.
Key Session Content
Session 1 - Expanding Human Resource Exchange: Featured presentations by President Haratani of Takasago Electric, Executive Officer Umezawa of Mercari, and CEO Yamada of Findy, discussing high-skilled human resource exchange for next-generation Japan-India economy.
Session 2 - Advanced Industrial Cooperation: Featured Chief Technology Officer Vivek Mahajan of Fujitsu, President Kato of Astroscale, and Director Takahama of METI's Space Industry Division, discussing Japan-India cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as semiconductors and space/aviation industries.
Session 3 - Next-Generation Energy and Mobility Cooperation: Featured India General Representative Enomoto of Mitsui & Co., Managing Executive Officer Suzuki of Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Green Innovation Development Center Director Tanaka of Air Water, discussing global market approaches through Japan-India science and technology collaboration. Environment Minister Asao also participated with a speech.
Strategic Significance
The forum was held in conjunction with Indian Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan, serving as an important platform for economic diplomacy where government officials and companies from both countries gathered. The announcement of 170 large-scale private sector memoranda represents a symbolic achievement demonstrating deepened economic cooperation and expanded substantive collaborative relationships at the private level between both countries.
The article demonstrates that the Japan-India Economic Forum established a framework for large-scale private cooperation under the political leadership of both countries' leaders, creating strategic partnerships supporting next-generation economic growth in human resource exchange, advanced technology, and energy/mobility sectors.