Tag Archives: india japan relations

Indian Students Leave For Japan Under Sakura Science Programme 2026

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A group of Indian school students will travel to Japan next week under the Sakura Science Programme 2026, an academic exchange initiative aimed at exposing young learners to advanced scientific research and technological innovation.

The delegation was formally flagged off on Friday by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education during a ceremony held at the campus of National Council of Educational Research and Training in New Delhi.

Among those present at the event were Archana Sharma Awasthi, Additional Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, NCERT Director Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, and Economic Advisor A. Srija.

The week-long visit to Japan will take place from May 24 to May 30 and will include 56 students and four supervisors from India. The Indian contingent will participate alongside students from Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa under the international youth exchange initiative.

Officials said the selected students include 24 boys and 32 girls studying in government schools across 15 states and Union Territories. The participants have been chosen from beneficiaries of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) Scheme, a centrally sponsored programme designed to support academically talented students from economically weaker backgrounds.

The students represent Assam, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal.

The Sakura Science Programme, officially known as the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science, has been run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency since 2014 to encourage scientific collaboration and cultural exchange among students across Asia and Africa. India joined the initiative in 2016.

Under the programme, students spend a week in Japan visiting educational institutions, research centres and technology facilities while also experiencing Japanese culture and society.

PIB

According to government data, 674 Indian students and 96 supervisors have visited Japan through the programme so far. The previous batch travelled to Japan in August 2025.

The Ministry of Education said the initiative aligns with the vision of the Ministry of Education under the National Education Policy 2020, which stresses experiential and interdisciplinary learning.

Officials said international exposure visits play an important role in helping students understand scientific developments, innovation ecosystems and cultural diversity beyond classroom education.

Japan is widely regarded for its technological capabilities in sectors such as robotics, electronics, manufacturing and scientific research, making it an important destination for educational exchange programmes focused on science and innovation.

Also Read:

2024 Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Japan’s Anti-Nuclear Movement ‘Nihon Hidankyo’

Japan commits ODA loan to India in urban Transport, health and agriculture sectors

Former foreign Secretary Jaishankar joins Tata Group as PM relaxes ‘Cooling Off Period’

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Former Indian foreign secretary S. Jaishankar, the former ambassador known for his coveted roles in Japan, singapore and China, besides the US, has been allowed to take over a new post as President of Global Corporate Affairs of Tata group and he will report to N Chandrasekaran, executive chairman of Tata Sons.

Since senior bureaucrats are bound by one-year cooling off period before accepting any private sector positions, Jaishankar had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a waiver of the "cooling-off period" and reportedly got a positive reply.

In his new role, Dr. Jaishankar will oversee the Tata group’s global corporate affairs and international strategy, which includes all Tata Sons’ international offices, said a statement. "I am delighted to welcome Dr Jaishankar to the Tata Group. His extensive experience and knowledge on international affairs will be very valuable to the group as we work to reinforce our brand and leadership globally," said Chandrasekaran, Tata Sons executive chairman.

"The Tata Group is an iconic institution known for its value-based leadership as well as India’s most respected brand globally. I look forward to being part of the Tata group and working with key stakeholders to make an impact," said Jaishankar.

Jaishankar, who served as the Indian foreign secretary from January 2015 to January 2018, was an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1977 batch who played a key role in India’s relations with Japan, China, Singapore and the United states, especially in negotiating the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement.

He had served both Manmohan singh and Narendra Modi, who had trusted his skills as an ambassador with utmost negotiating skills. He was also credited with a peaceful end to the stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam last year. He retired on Jan. 28, 2018 from the government service.

A graduate of St Stephen’s College at the University of Delhi, he has an MA in Political Science, MPhil and Ph.D. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University.


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Japan Provides $76 Million Loan for Alang-Sosiya Shipyards’ Upgradation

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India has signed $ 76 Million loan deal with Japan International Cooperation Limited (JICA) to upgrade Alang-Sosiya Shipyards to upgrade the environment management plan at the recycling yards.

The total cost of the project will be $ 111 million, out of which $76 million will be provided as soft loan from JICA. Out of the remaining amount, $25 million as taxes and fees will be borne by Government of Gujarat and the balance $10 million will be shared by Ministry of Shipping & Government of Gujarat. The project will be executed by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) and is likely to be completed by 2022.

This project will help the Alang-Sosia ship-recycling yards to comply with international safety & environmental regulations. This will attract more business at the recycling facilities at Alang, thereby further consolidating India’s share in the global ship-recycling industry.

This project will also help in safeguarding the marine and coastal environment. The use of advanced decontamination technology will rule out the possibility of fire accidents in oil and chemical tankers, thereby ensuring workers safety.

The project is expected to result in increase in direct employment from 50,000 to 92,000 people and in-direct employment from 1.5 lakhs to 3 lakh people.

Indian Navy Chief Visits Japan, Bilateral Ties to Strengthen Further

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The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba, has paid an official visit to Japan from 19 December 2016 in a bid to consolidate existing Maritime Cooperation initiatives as well as explore new avenues.

Defence cooperation between India and Japan is currently robust and is primarily focused towards Maritime Cooperation ever since the commencement of the India-Japan Comprehensive Security Dialogue which was initiated in 2001.

Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) has participated in the MALABAR exercise in 2007, 2009, 2014 prior being included as a regular member in the exercise since 2015. JMSDF participated in MALABAR 15 and 16 held in the Bay of Bengal and Western Pacific respectively.

In 2014, Japan has also been included as an observer in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a Maritime Cooperation construct conceptualised and pioneered by Indian Navy in 2008.

Both navies also engage in Navy to Navy Staff Talks which commenced in 2008. The 7th Navy to Navy Staff Talks are scheduled to be held in 2017. JDS Matsuyuki participated in the International Fleet Review 2016 held at Visakhapatnam.

The Chief of Staff of the JMSDF, Admiral Tomihisa Takei also attended the Review. Indian Navy too participated in the International Fleet Review conducted by the JMSDF in Oct 15 at Sagami Bay, Yokosuka, Japan.

JMSDF for the first time participated in the Admiral’s Cup Sailing Regatta conducted by the Indian Navy in 2016 at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala from 05 to 11 Dec 16. Warships of both countries regularly visit each other’s ports.

India and Japan share similar maritime challenges such as long coastline, extensive EEZ, coastal security, large coastal shipping and fishing fleet, wherein both navies have opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences. In addition common ground exists for cooperation on a number of issues common to both navies.

Indian navy chief Admiral Sunil Lamba

During the visit, Admiral Sunil Lanba is scheduled to hold discussions with Chief of Staff, JMSDF, Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff besides other Senior Dignitaries and Naval Officers.

The friendship between India and Japan has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilisational ties. India’s earliest documented direct contact with Japan was with the Todaiji Temple in Nara, where the consecration or eye-opening of the towering statue of Lord Buddha was performed by an Indian monk, Bodhisena, in 752 AD.

In contemporary times, among prominent Indians associated with Japan were Swami Vivekananda, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, JRD Tata, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Judge Radha Binod Pal. The Japan-India Association was set up in 1903, and is today the oldest international friendship body in Japan.