Expanding Ties Beyond Traditional Sphere

As Japan celebrates Emperor Akihito’s birthday on December 23, Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Kenji Hiramatsu dwells on the growing trust and engagement with India in a wide sphere as the two countries strive for peace, stability and economic growth in the region.

- Kenji Hiramastu

Q How important are ties with India as countries seek to forge and deepen ties with other countries to strengthen their position politically, economically and militarily in the global scheme of things?

India and Japan are natural partners as we share basic values on democracy, open and free market system. We also share basic strategic values. Our prime ministers really enjoy their partnership of trust. They share views on strategy and uphold it. We are now in a really very difficult and turbulent moment worldwide. Japan and India relationship is one of certainty in these uncertain times. Your prime minister’s visit to Japan in October established a relationship of trust as our prime ministers share basic views about respective strategies. We have lot of things in common so people-to-people there are very warm feelings between the two countries. We are happy to see that our relationship is expanding beyond the traditional spheres to areas like defense and security. This will help build a very strong relationship between the two countries.

Q How are Japan’s plans of stepping up investment in India moving?

In 2014, we announced plans to double our investment in India in five years. In keeping with it, we are planning to double the number of our companies operating in India in the same period of time. We have committed to provide 3.5 trillion Japanese yen in private and public financing and we think we are on the right track to achieve this goal. There is considerable enthusiasm among Japanese companies to do business and invest here as India offers vast opportunities to us. Indian authorities are constantly encouraging Japanese companies to come and see opportunities here. The number of Japanese companies and investment has been steadily rising in the last two or three years.