Chief Secretary holds talk with Japan Consul General for Odisha–Japan collaboration

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government is taking forward discussions with the Government of Japan towards establishing a formal Friendship Agreement between Odisha and Tottori Prefecture, aimed at strengthening cooperation across industrial development, skill development, tourism, culture, youth exchange, and people-to-people ties.

Following the meeting between Chief Minister of Odisha and the Consul General of Japan in Kolkata on Wednesday, an in-person meeting was held between Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, Ishikawa Yoshihisa. Additional Chief Secretary to Home and Industries Department Hemant Sharma was also present during the discussions.

The meeting focused on the proposed Friendship Agreement between Odisha and Tottori Prefecture and explored opportunities for deepening bilateral cooperation in sectors of mutual interest. The draft framework of the agreement envisages collaboration in areas including economy and industry, tourism promotion, youth and student exchange, personnel exchange, culture, and environment. 

Discussions were also held regarding coordination meeting involving the Government of Odisha, the Embassy of India in Tokyo, and the Tottori Prefectural Government to finalize modalities and timelines for the partnership. 

The Government of Odisha highlighted the State’s growing industrial ecosystem and emerging opportunities in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, skill development, tourism, and cultural exchanges. Both sides also discussed possibilities for cooperation in Japanese language training, student and faculty exchanges, tourism promotion with focus on the Buddhist circuit, sports collaboration, and industry linkages.

The proposed Odisha–Tottori partnership is envisioned as an important step towards enhancing Odisha’s engagement with Japan and promoting long-term cooperation in economic, cultural, educational, and industrial sectors.