India and Japan: News and Discussion

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 16 Jun 2011 21:19

CEPA to come into force on Aug 1: Japanese envoy.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and India to boost trade would come into force from August 1 this year, a Japanese envoy today said.

"After several series of negotiations,this agreement (CEPA) will come into force on August one. It will facilitate trade relations between the two countries," Japan''s Ambassador to India Akitaka Sakai said."I hope the business communities in both countries will be able to use this agreement," he said at the luncheon meeting with the members of CII here.

Currently, exports from India to Japan constitute 2.2 per cent, while those from Japan stood at 0.9 per cent, he said.
After the tsunami-strike in Japan early this year, a high level delegation from the Japan Chamber of Commerce, a leading industry body, would visit India in September.

"This is the first time that a very large delegation is coming to India. First they will visit Delhi and after that they will come here (Chennai) in September. It is mainly to boost trade and investments between the two countries," he said.
About the havoc wrought by the tsunami on March 11, he said Japan was making a steady recovery. "From the 150,000 people affected by the tsunami, 8,000 people are still missing.About one lakh people would be placed in temporary houses by end of this summer," he said.

Thanking India for extending support to Japan, he said Japan would continue to offer its support to India.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 16 Jun 2011 22:03

Published on Jun 16, 2011
India, Japan discuss political, economic engagements with Africa: ANI

New Delhi, June 16: India and Japan held wide ranging discussions regarding their respective political and economic engagements with Africa; the current security and political situation in various parts of Africa; and issues emanating from Africa with regional and global bearing during the two-day 'Second India-Japan Dialogue on Africa', which was held here.

The two sides extensively shared their views and experiences with regard to the India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). They also discussed the possibility of devising coordinated efforts directed towards Africa's socio-economic development.

The Japanese delegation was led by Sumio Kusaka, Director General for African Affairs in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kusaka is also Personal Representative of the Japanese Prime Minister, for Africa.

The Indian delegation was led by Gurjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs.

The Japanese delegation had fruitful exchanges on trade and commerce related issues with the CII and also participated in a Round Table Academic Exchange on Africa organized by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).

The India-Japan Dialogue on Africa is now an institutionalized event held biannually. The inaugural dialogue was held in Tokyo in October 2010 and the next round is scheduled to take place in Tokyo.

Published on Jun 16, 2011
Japan seeks out India for African Development: Indian Express

Less than a month after India-Africa summit, global economic power Japan is seeking collaboration with India for the development of Africa. In this context, Sumio Kusaka, personal representative of Japanese Prime Minister for Africa, on Wednesday met the officials of Ministry of External Affairs in the capital to explore opportunities for collaboration for African Development.

“There is more likelihood of Japan-India cooperation for the development of Africa than Japan-China cooperation,” Kusaka told The Indian Express after the meeting. He, however, pointed that Japan has been exchanging notes for cooperation with the US, the EU, South Korea, France and China among others for African Development.

Kusaka, who also serves as the Director General for African Affairs in Japanese Government, has sought Indian participation in a trade and investent seminar being organised in Japan later this year to explore the potential areas of cooperation.

Considering that India does not have the funds to match Chinese footprint in Africa, a partnership with Japan gives India certainly a force-multiplier.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 01 Jul 2011 15:05

Published Jul 01, 2011
By Elizabeth Roche
Japan to strengthen ties with India, plans economic dialogue: LiveMint

Japan is looking at deepening its economic, political and strategic engagement with India through two new frameworks—a ministerial level bilateral economic dialogue and a three-way dialogue involving the US focusing on issues such as a new security architecture for the Asia-Pacific region and the rise of China, Japanese ambassador Akitaka Saiki said on Wednesday.

The two countries will “hold for the first time a ministerial-level economic dialogue”, Saiki said in a speech at the Observer Research Foundation, a Delhi-based thinktank. “The teams will be led by foreign ministers with participation by economic-related ministers—finance, commerce and so on,” he said.

Japan is now looking at a wider economic engagement with India as part of its strategy to revitalize itself, Saiki said.

“The market in Japan is shrinking. We need a larger market abroad and I think India offers great opportunity... India’s rise will contribute to Japanese economy because by strengthening the economic partnership, there will be more investment, more trade (which) will work favourably for Japan,” Saiki said.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 09 Jul 2011 11:38

It hits where it hurts most

http://www.japantoday.com/category/nati ... le-illness

vasu_ray · Post by **vasu_ray** » 09 Jul 2011 21:07

This cooperation should extend to hybrids in the auto sector, reducing metro area pollution in our cities, specifying emission standards, hence carbon credits and at the same time convincing Japanese on the non-fossil power requirements to support the hybrids in the Indian market thus finally converging on civilian nuclear power plants, all in next 5 years

Now Japan, free of dependence on Chinese rare earth minerals used in hybrids, it can widen its exports to non-western markets. I am sure Japanese are more efficient in exploiting those newly found undersea minerals.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 16 Jul 2011 22:15

Part company with Japan for UNSC seat, China tells India.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 16 Jul 2011 22:44

Vipul wrote:Part company with Japan for UNSC seat, China tells India.

Actually this is possible!

If China cooperates with India in transferring UK's permanent seat in the UNSC over to India, then India can consider rethinking on support to other countries like Japan for permanent seats in the UNSC, for then India's inclusion would take place according to another model and not the expansion and reform model.

If and until something like this is not on the table, we stick to the G4 Plan for UNSC Reform. Otherwise we stick to Japan and show China the middle finger.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 04 Aug 2011 21:43

Non conflicting relations have always been natural between India and Japan : Vibhav Kant Upadhyay

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 28 Aug 2011 07:05

Japanese ruling party to elect a new leader to replace PM Naoto Kan.

Kan announced his resignation after just 15 turbulent months in office during which his leadership style, his response to the March 11 calamity and his outspoken anti-nuclear stance earned him critics and enemies.

Japan's sixth new premier in five years must also manage tricky relations with China, the traditional rival that last year overtook Japan as Asia's biggest economy, as bitter territorial disputes are simmering.

The new leader will also face the same problems that have hobbled his two short-lived DPJ predecessors -- deep rifts within the ruling camp and a hostile opposition that controls the upper house of parliament.

Some details about the candidates:

Maehara backs a strong US alliance and has taken a hard line on China, last year infuriating Beijing by labelling its stance in an island dispute as "hysterical".

He resigned five months ago for taking political donations from a family friend who is an ethnic Korean, in contravention of funding laws, a fact the opposition is likely to again seize upon.

Ozawa, who has been dubbed the "Shadow Shogun" and faces criminal charges over a donations scandal, commands the support of some 130 MPs, despite the fact that he lost his party membership following his indictment.

Another candidate is Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, 54, who has led Japan's mixed efforts to bring down the yen, a "safe haven" currency that has soared to post-war highs amid global market turmoil, hurting Japan's exporters.

Noda, seen as a safe pair of hands, has managed to upset Japan's neighbours, including South Korea, with comments defending Japanese war criminals.

One key question is how to cut a debt mountain that has ballooned to twice the size of the five-trillion-dollar economy and is set to grow more as Japan spends billions of dollars on quake reconstruction.

The problem is acute for Japan, with one of the lowest birth rates and highest life expectancies on earth, as tax revenues are set to fall and social welfare bills rise in coming decades.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 28 Aug 2011 20:30

chaanakya wrote:It hits where it hurts most

http://www.japantoday.com/category/nati ... le-illness

Sirjee,

link leads to a 404 error. "The page you're looking for can’t be found".

Any possible correction??

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 29 Aug 2011 02:33

chetak wrote:
chaanakya wrote:It hits where it hurts most

http://www.japantoday.com/category/nati ... le-illness
Sirjee,

link leads to a 404 error. "The page you're looking for can’t be found".

Any possible correction??

seems to be removed from theindex. It isow available at

http://t.co/yrWM2Nw

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 02 Sep 2011 01:35

India to go ahead with trilateral talks with US, Japan.

India is going ahead with a new trilateral dialogue with the United States and Japan. The talks, at the level of senior officials, will be held in Tokyo in early October.

Some recent media reports had suggested that India was ‘developing cold feet’ on the dialogue as it might upset Beijing, which might see it as an antagonistic move.

Official sources said issues like maritime security, humanitarian assistance, regional economic partnership and issues of mutual security and economic interests would figure in the talks.The new trilateral talks were announced by former foreign secretary Nirupama Rao in Tokyo. The first ‘trialogue’ was supposed to coincide with the new ministerial-level economic dialogue – also between Japan and India – slated for early October.

Both Japan and the US had been pressing India on the trilateral meeting but New Delhi needed to examine the issue in its totality before committing itself. They say they see India as a ‘strong and enduring Asia-Pacific partner’ and welcome its growing engagement in the region.

Though Beijing has not officiallly commented on this development, Indian officials say the three-way talks are ‘not aimed at any country’, implying that China need not have any worries about any strategic ganging up against it.India has ramped up its ties with Japan, that now includes a security dialogue. It recently exchanged notes with Japan on the possibilities of formulating joint approaches to Africa, where China has made rapid inroads across the length and breadth of the continent.

The US sees the trilateral dialogue as part of its diplomatic pitch to raise India’s profile in the East Asia region, which China is prone to see as its strategic turf.During US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to India in July, an increased role for India in the changing geopolitical calculus was an important subject of bilateral discussions.

In a speech in Chennai, Clinton had pressed India to take a leadership role in the world, specially in East Asia. Asking New Delhi ‘think and act East,’ Clinton underlined that India could build a leadership role in the Asia-Pacific in forums like the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Rony · Post by **Rony** » 05 Sep 2011 07:47

Japan's unsung role in India's struggle for independence

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 05 Sep 2011 12:39

Vipul wrote:India to go ahead with trilateral talks with US, Japan.

India is going ahead with a new trilateral dialogue with the United States and Japan. The talks, at the level of senior officials, will be held in Tokyo in early October.

Wasn't it earlier supposed to be held in November ? Looks like it is being preponed.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 23 Sep 2011 05:16

India To Promote Stronger Military Ties With Japan

NEW DELHI, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Indian Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said India will continue to promote stronger military ties with Japan, reports Press Trust of India.

The Defence Minister conveyed India's desire for closer defence ties with Japan during his meeting here with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who urged increased cooperation between the navies of the two countries.

"India attaches great importance to continue improvement in relations with Japan," Antony said.

In the meeting, Abe said that cooperation between India and Japan is in the interest of both nations and in the interest of regional peace and security.

At the delegation level talks, the former Japanese premier was accompanied by representatives of Japan's National Diet and the Japan Institute of National Fundamentals whereas the Indian side included Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma, Special Secretary R K Mathur and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) director-general N S Sisodia.

On Tuesday, Abe had called for greater interaction between Indian and Japanese navies saying that the two sides should work closely with the US to secure the sea lanes of commerce and ensure a stable Asia.

The Japanese leader had said that with its plans of having a navy with three aircraft carriers, India can keep the Asian sea lines stable and such a step can assure Vietnamese, Americans and South Koreans "if not the Chinese".

Japanese defence forces have taken part in trilateral exercises involving the US and India in the Pacific Ocean.

kumarn · Post by **kumarn** » 05 Oct 2011 22:32

Japan prefers India to China

Tokyo, Oct. 2: Wary of doing business in China, Japanese investors feel India is their best bet in the long run.

A survey by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation for the country's Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry shows around 75 per cent of Japanese businessmen putting India as "the most promising country" ahead of China, Brazil, Vietnam and the US.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 07 Oct 2011 19:25

Japan, India to extend strategic cooperation to science and technology news.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 18 Oct 2011 09:11

Japan's Aid Diplomacy and India

The decision by Japan to exempt India from the cuts it has implemented in its overseas aid programmes following the tsunami and the nuclear disaster at Fukushima is an indication that Tokyo, despite its internal political turmoil, is giving its ties with New Delhi high priority. Financial aid may sound like a paradoxical way to go about this. After all, India — ranked among the world's top emerging economies, with a high growth rate — is not desperate for the money. Indeed, India now gives considerable financial assistance to neighbouring countries and to Africa. It is a contributor to the poverty alleviation fund set up by the India-Brazil-South Africa grouping and managed by the United Nations, among other projects. But it also continues to receive funding from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, the European Union, the Scandinavian countries and a few others, aside from what these countries channelise through non-governmental organisations. While foreign funding constitutes a minuscule fraction of India's GDP, it is not irrelevant. Fewer strings are attached to it today than three decades ago, when India was in dire need of it.

Japan's aid diplomacy with India should be seen in the context of ties that have improved steadily in the last decade but are yet to break the surface. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement the two countries signed last year promises to further trade relations that have stagnated far below their potential. In parallel, both sides have also sought to develop a strategic partnership. The exemption from aid cuts has come ahead of the fifth round of the India-Japan Strategic Dialogue scheduled for the end of October, in which the Indian side will be led by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, and a visit to Japan by Defence Minister A.K. Antony in the first week of November. Both events are likely to focus on issues of maritime security in the East Asian region, including in the South China Sea. But while it is in India's interests to find a firmer footing with Japan, New Delhi should guard against attempts to project this relationship as a counterpoint to China.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 18 Oct 2011 12:36

"Tokyo, Oct. 2: Wary of doing business in China, Japanese investors feel India is their best bet in the long run."

Question: Did Suzuki's( Maruti Udyog) investment in India predate any significant Japanese investment in China, or did it come after? If before, in a way it shows once again, that India does do things before China, and China then follows India's example.

Japan's problem with respect to India, at least at the official level and level of big business, is that it is so entwined and absorbed with the American/Western outlook, that it cannot really relate to India and its neighbourhood issues in a thoughtful and meaningful way. How many Japanese, for example, will speak of China's attack on India in 1962 in a way that empathises with India? Or of India having a fanatic, bigoted Islamic state on one of its borders?

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 19 Oct 2011 01:05

Japan thought being a US poodle and building up economy would enetually give them the leadership of Asia. Tokyo Olympics, 1964 all that made them feel they are on that glide path.
Then the PRC burst the atomic bomb and the US rushed into use them, against the USSR. Still Japan thought they will inherit the mantle of leadership.

But then India broke the concord in 1998 and Japan was truly unnerved as it saw its hopes dashed. They often supported TSP. So they were really hard on NSG sanctions etc. If the PRC had been more subtle the Japanese would never support India.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 29 Oct 2011 11:41

Published on Oct 29, 2011
Krishna in Tokyo for strategic talks, Antony on the way: IANS

New Delhi: With China keeping a watchful eye, India and Japan are set to ramp up their bilateral ties as a strategic dialogue gets going in Tokyo and Defence Minister A.K. Antony plans to visit there next week.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna is in Tokyo for the fifth round of strategic dialogue with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba.

They are expected to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation across a range of issues ranging from jointly combating piracy and terrorism to climate change and the evolving east Asia architecture.

New Delhi is expected to discuss the prospects of civil nuclear cooperation that took a hit after the Fukushima disaster earlier this year.

The two ministers are also likely to discuss dates for the US-Japan-India trilateral, an initiative that is causing jitters in Beijing.

Close on the heels of Krishna's visit, Antony goes on a day-long visit to Tokyo Nov 2.

He will hold talks with his Japanese counterpart Yasho Ichikawa on a wide range of issues, including regional and global security scenario, maritime security, piracy in the Gulf of Aden and co-operation in the filed of humanitarian assistance and terrorism.

"Both sides will also discuss co-operation between the Armed Forces of both countries in the fields of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, training and co-operation in UN peacekeeping operations and other bilateral exchanges," the defence ministry said here Friday.

Co-operation through regional/multilateral for a like the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) will also be discussed.

Antony will be accompanied by Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral R.K. Dhowan and GoC-in-C, Central Command, Lt Gen V.K. Ahluwalia.

The two ministerial trips will set the stage for the visit of Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to India in December.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 29 Oct 2011 19:40

India, Japan to resume N-deal talks, to develop rare earths

TOKYO/NEW DELHI: Japan on Saturday agreed to resume civil nuclear negotiations with India that were stalled after the Fukushima disaster and accelerate the joint development of rare earth material deposits.

In a development that will be closely watched by China, external affairs minister SM Krishna, who concluded the fifth round of strategic dialogue with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba in Tokyo, said the India-Japan-United States trilateral dialogue will be held soon.

Japan indicated its readiness to resume civil nuclear negotiations with India that were stalled after the March 11 Fukushima radiation disaster and the ensuing political uncertainty in that country.

"I also discussed with foreign minister Gemba the status of civil nuclear cooperation between our countries. As you are aware, we have had three rounds of negotiations on this subject," Krishna said at a joint press conference with Gemba in Tokyo.

"After my discussions today, I am optimistic on this score," he said.

The two countries "will move forward talks on the civilian nuclear cooperation pact while paying consideration to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation", Jiji Press quoted Gemba as saying.

"We agreed to resume negotiations at the working level so that we can surely move towards it," he said.

Nuclear negotiations with India have been a sensitive political subject in Japan, the only country that has borne the brunt of nuclear weapons.

In another key development, the two countries decided to spur their high-technology cooperation and collaborate in the development of rare earths. Japan has removed seven Indian entities from its foreign end user list this year, which included Indian Rare Earths Limited.

"We now look forward to greater cooperation between Indian and Japanese firms in the rare earths sector," Krishna said.

"The two countries will move ahead with a joint development," of rare earth deposits in India, said Gemba. Tokyo is seeking to diversify rare earth supplies as Beijing controls more than 90 percent of global supply.

Expressing sympathy with Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Krishna said India was "ready to help in whatever way required".

"We also discussed the India-Japan-United States trilateral dialogue. We agreed that it will be held very soon. It will cover regional and international issues of concern to all three countries," Krishna said.

Beijing is uneasy with the trilateral dialogue and sees it as an attempt to contain its rise in Asia.

Krishna also thanked Japan for maintaining the level of its Official Development Assistance (ODA) to India despite its focus on reconstruction activity after the earthquake and tsunami.

"This is a strong vote of confidence in India's growth story and exhibits the importance Japan attaches to our strategic partnership," he said.

Close on the heels of Krishna's visit, defence minister AK Antony goes on a day-long visit to Tokyo on November 2.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 Oct 2011 06:18

India-Japan Discuss the Nuclear Pact
Just to add to earlier posts,

New Delhi also conveyed its appreciation to Japan for its decision to remove seven Indian entities from a banned list, paving the way for bilateral high-technology trade.

Noting that Japan has removed seven Indian entities from its Foreign End User List this year, Mr. Krishna said this would boost high-technology trade between the two countries.

“One of the entities removed from this List is Indian Rare Earths Limited. We now look forward to greater cooperation between Indian and Japanese firms in the rare earth sector,” he said.

With the efforts to co-opt India into NSG, MTCR, Wassenaar, Australia Groups, removal from Entities List by the US and now Japan, all those elaborate anti-India structures have got dismantled one-by-one. Only Oz's stubborn refusal to sell Uranium to India remains to be tackled.

Mr. Krishna said: “This year, Japan has maintained the level of ODA for India despite its focus on reconstruction activity after the earthquake and tsunami.

“This is a strong vote of confidence in India's growth story and exhibits the importance Japan attaches to our Strategic Partnership.”

After the successful joint cooperation in establishing the metro rail network, Japan has also proposed to help India in bringing high-speed bullet trains to the country.

Mr. Gemba said Japanese companies were “very keen” on offering support for bullet trains and open to joint ventures with the Indian government or companies in implementing the project.

He said they were ready with their study report regarding bullet train projects on the Delhi, Agra, Bangalore, Chennai route and the Bangalore-Hyderabad route.

He said the freight corridor project between Delhi and Mumbai and the high-speed bullet train network are on Japan's immediate support list to India.

The Japanese Foreign Minister also emphasised the need to strengthen maritime security and combating piracy.

He also suggested to the Japanese side the possibility of the navies of India and Japan conducting bilateral exercises besides multilateral ones.

“Our Defence Minister will be in Tokyo in a few days and will discuss this subject in greater detail with his counterpart,” Mr. Krishna said.

Later, in an unusual gesture of warmth, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda received Mr. Krishna at his residence and termed India “a great friend” of Japan.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 30 Oct 2011 08:52

"Later, in an unusual gesture of warmth, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda received Mr. Krishna at his residence and termed India “a great friend” of Japan."

That's all wonderful, of course. But Indians are not like the Chinese, ruthless, soulless, cold blooded pragmatists, who can forget the past, with an eye purely on strategic and/or monetary gain. Japan, including its leaders like Noda, should explain to the Indian people, media and government, in an honest, forthright way, why it is they had the policies toward India that they did, all these years. Did they see themselves as the potential undisputed 'leader' of Asia( whatever that means) and did they view India as some sort of rival, obstacle or even possible adversary under certain conditions? If so, show class and honesty by admitting that precisely, and state that it was grossly misconceived and wrong. And now is the time to undo any damage that was done. Japan would earn some respect in India for that.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 30 Oct 2011 09:33

Varoon Shekhar wrote:"Later, in an unusual gesture of warmth, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda received Mr. Krishna at his residence and termed India “a great friend” of Japan."

That's all wonderful, of course. But Indians are not like the Chinese, ruthless, soulless, cold blooded pragmatists, who can forget the past, with an eye purely on strategic and/or monetary gain. Japan, including its leaders like Noda, should explain to the Indian people, media and government, in an honest, forthright way, why it is they had the policies toward India that they did, all these years. Did they see themselves as the potential undisputed 'leader' of Asia( whatever that means) and did they view India as some sort of rival, obstacle or even possible adversary under certain conditions? If so, show class and honesty by admitting that precisely, and state that it was grossly misconceived and wrong. And now is the time to undo any damage that was done. Japan would earn some respect in India for that.

Could you explain what those policies are/were??

Except cooperation in Nuclear field , I think Japan had been economic partner to India right from Yamaha and Suzuki days. Their ODA programme has been good for India. Cooperation in Energy field and other areas are good as well. I think being closely allied with US would have its own limitations and it is understandable , isn't it?

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 Oct 2011 13:32

The Japanese investments in India over the years were not commensurate with their economic size and India's growing demands. There could be many reasons, including the Japanese reluctance to invest in India which until early 90s was not seen in positive light while other Asian countries like China, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore etc. were becoming tigers and therefore attracted a lot of Japanese investment robbing India correspondingly. There might have been US pressure as well. India also had stringent and unwelcoming investment and labour policies and practices that deterred investment.

Today's India and its part in geopolitical, geostrategic, financial and economic global situation is vastly different. The one thing one can accuse Japan is that even after liberalization etc.. they have been reluctant and sluggish participants in the Indian growth story. Even now, their large-scale investments can be a lot more than what it is. however, they are slow in deciding and want some basic expectations to be met (such as exclusive township, golf courses etc.) before they invest.

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 30 Oct 2011 19:13

"I think being closely allied with US would have its own limitations and it is understandable , isn't it?"

Yes, but one quality of the US, that these East Asian countries like Japan find difficult, if not impossible, to emulate is the capacity for independent thinking. Throughout those 'cold war' years, the US had its fair share of India supporters, India-defenders, Indophiles etc. Jack Anderson, Abe Rosenthal, Walter Cronkite, Goldie Hawn, et al. Surely, the Japanese were smart enough to at least see this, even though these figures were not part of the "Pentagon", "State Department", "White House" or "Strategic Think Tanks". The Japanese would really raise eyebrows, in a good way, by saying something to the effect that they were overly influenced by shallow, superficial strategic attitudes, not by more humanistic, people oriented, values based outlooks , in dealing with India.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 30 Oct 2011 22:57

Varoon Shekhar ji,

There are countries out there who have strategic interests or ideologies which make them oppose India. Then there are a whole lot of countries out there who are anything between dismissive to neutral about India. It is really up to us to make people from such countries become more involved with us at a cultural level. We can't just take it for granted that if somebody is independent minded out there, they have to like us or adore us, nor can we demand everybody to fall in love with us. We have to work on these people at many different levels of interaction.

Perhaps that was missing!

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 30 Oct 2011 23:49

Yes, Rajesh, that is correct. Some initiative has to come from India as well, without a doubt. I just wonder, throughout those 'cold war' years, how many people in Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia etc, traveled to India or other countries, and made independent, balanced, nuanced assessments of the countries they visited. Because, in the US itself, there appeared to be quite a few of those types, even during the cold war.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 31 Oct 2011 02:32

Varoon Shekhar wrote:Yes, Rajesh, that is correct. Some initiative has to come from India as well, without a doubt. I just wonder, throughout those 'cold war' years, how many people in Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia etc, traveled to India or other countries, and made independent, balanced, nuanced assessments of the countries they visited. Because, in the US itself, there appeared to be quite a few of those types, even during the cold war.

I think in those days, the Cold War and the Anglo-American Cultural Machine were so dominant, that USA became a huge focal node for all those countries which were either in the Western bloc or were reeling under the after-effects of Western colonialism, that everything else in the world faded out!

One started looking at one's neighbor through American eyes and Cold War lens!

It is only now that one is really coming out of the Colonization, Cold War American Camp, Sole Superpower Hegemony periods and really coming into one's own in a gradually developing multi-polar world. It is only now we are starting to again relate to other countries of the world independent of the Anglo-American lens!

I guess Japan too was mentally imprisoned between the two faces of this Anglo-American lens!

That is my perception of it!

Varoon Shekhar · Post by **Varoon Shekhar** » 31 Oct 2011 06:41

"I think in those days, the Cold War and the Anglo-American Cultural Machine were so dominant, that USA became a huge focal node for all those countries which were either in the Western bloc or were reeling under the after-effe.."

Yes, this must be correct. My( limited, admittedly) experience with SE Asians( Filipinos, Thais, Vietnamese etc) in the late 80's and early 90's shows them to be entirely Western media dependent in their perceptions of India. Mother Theresa, Gandhi and cows on the road were the subjects I heard. Not stuff about anti-colonialism, non-alignment, Nehru, India's free press, democracy or mixed economy. In the US itself, there were intelligent, independent assessments of India throughout those years. Is it possible that there was an academic class of people from SE Asia, that Indians simply did not run into, that had a more sophisticated, nuanced estimation of India.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 31 Oct 2011 08:53

Varoon Shekhar wrote:Is it possible that there was an academic class of people from SE Asia, that Indians simply did not run into, that had a more sophisticated, nuanced estimation of India.

Well usually people who have a more sophisticated, nuanced estimation of India would be those who must have shown some interest in things Indian and have interacted with some Indians! So one would know about them! They might have written something about India, or may have been active in some India-related projects!

However just because we all with our limited knowledge do not know much about them does not mean, there aren't any. In fact there is a flourishing interest in India in Japan.

"Japanese Association of Indian and Buddhist Studies"

One can read the history of the association in English on the site!

It is up to the Indians of this age to create active interest for India in Japan. GoI can encourage the Japanese to expand the financial outlays to various Indology faculties in Japanese Universities. GoI can promote programs for Japanese to come to India and avail of seats in various cultural studies in India, etc..

Vasu · Post by **Vasu** » 31 Oct 2011 12:39

Crossposting from the Mass Transit thread: Japan funded most of the Delhi Metro, and will fund 50% of the third phase. These loans from JBIC charge between 1-3%. These loans do not come with any conditions to employ Japanese companies. Not to forget their intended commitment to the Delhi-Mumbai Infrastructure Corridor.

Japan again Delhi Metro's knight in shining armour

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 31 Oct 2011 12:59

I just wish to make two points here
1. People of Japan have shown natural affinity towards people of India. In one to one interactions they are friendly and cooperative.
2. In G2G and B2B cooperation they have been doing much and seen as friendly investor. Except in case of Nuclear policy or in few cases go by their own national interest and be at times guided by what USA stand is.

Change in Status of India as emerging economic power and Fukushima accident has forced a review in their Nuclear Policy. They have given much importance to their ties with India by not reducing ODA.

However , people in India like more to go to GORA country and sing paeans rather than going to East Asian Countries incl Japan etc. Look East Policy of India might remedy that in medium term. We should get bilateral VOA (charge free) for most of these countries to facilitate P2P , B2B interactions.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 31 Oct 2011 13:44

Vasu wrote:Crossposting from the Mass Transit thread: Japan funded most of the Delhi Metro, and will fund 50% of the third phase. These loans from JBIC charge between 1-3%. These loans do not come with any conditions to employ Japanese companies. Not to forget their intended commitment to the Delhi-Mumbai Infrastructure Corridor.

And, the Chennai metro and the proposed Industrial Corridor between Chennai-Bengaluru.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 31 Oct 2011 14:07

AKA can make a massive gesture to the Japanese if he visits the famous Yasukuni shrine,dedicated to the memory of Japan's war dead.While western leaders scorn such a visit,India fought both against and with japan in WW2,thanks to Netaji and the INA and one must recollect the disssenting Indian judge,Justice Radha Binod Pal, at Gen.Tojo's war crimes trial,who described the verdict as "victor's justice" .

A joint Indo-Japanese "patrolling" of China,in the Asia-Pacific region,particularly in the Indo-China Sea,where Japan has a very large and capable navy,will be of rgeat benefit to both nations.

The Dissenting Judgment

However the dissenting judgment of the Indian judge Radha Binod Pal is a revealing document. Justice Pal demolished the case of the US prosecutors. His judgment is important for posterity so that in future such courts, that treat the loser as a ’war criminal’ are not set up again. But unfortunately this has not happened as after the Iraq war Saddam Hussein and his supporters were all hanged by the victors. Perhaps if the logic of the Tokyo tribunal is extended most US commanders in Vietnam could face identical charges.

Observations of Justice Pal
Pal made significant observations which need to be studied further. He characterized the entire case of the prosecution as weak. In particular the charge that there was a conspiracy to commit an act of aggressive war, as well as the atrocities on the conquered nations low in credibility.

His comments on the Rape of Nanking make interesting reading and show his acumen and sharp mind. Pal acknowledged the incident and its attended brutality. He agreed that the Japanese army had committed atrocities against the civilian population and prisoners of war. But he pointed out that this massacre could not be linked to general Tojo.

He pointed out there was no evidence whatsoever that the massacres were part of official Japanese government policy or on the orders of general Tojo. Hence to try Gen Tojo and others for these crimes was not in the best interests of law and its usage.

But the judgment of the tribunal, where the remaining 10 judges held Tojo guilty carried the day and the US Army wasted no time in carrying out the executions and hanged Tojo and others in Tokyo. Perhaps in case the judgment of Justice Pal had been given due weight age the trial could have taken a different course. But Justice is always dispensed by the victors and this is what happened. I wonder what the USA achieved by the hanging of General Hideki Tojo.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 02 Nov 2011 11:28

Published on Nov 01, 2011
By Saurav Jha
India, Japan Reinforce Economic, Security Ties: World Politics Review

However, the quickening defense R&D cooperation may be seen as part of a much larger techno-industrial relationship emerging between the two nations. During his recent visit to Japan, the Indian minister for science and technology remarked that “the Japanese government was ready and willing to encourage Japanese investment in all sectors of the Indian economy, including bio-technology, nanotechnology, life sciences, supercomputing, environmental and water conservation, in addition to the infrastructure and automobile sectors.” Mirroring this is the fact that an increasing number of Japanese small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) are setting up shop in India with a view to incubating domestic manufacturing competitiveness as part of an overall SME globalization strategy being pursued by Japanese industry.

Heavier Japanese investments continue to flow into India, of course, especially in the automobile and infrastructure sectors. Japan is helping India set up dedicated freight corridors (DFCs) for rail traffic in the country and is also the chief partner for the $90 billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) megaproject being pushed by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Aligned with the Delhi-Mumbai DFC, the DMIC will lead to the creation of greenfield cities tied to a multitude of new industrial units, all aimed at boosting export manufacturing with Japanese collaboration and investment. The aim is nothing short of vertically integrating India with East Asian supply chains under the orchestration of Japanese companies. This would allow the Indian manufacturing sector to simultaneously move up the value chain as well as generate the necessary volume of employment required to absorb the millions joining India’s work force each year. For Japan, India now offers more value than China, where wages have begun to rise sharply, and can clearly shore up much-needed corporate profitability.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 03 Nov 2011 13:34

Published on Nov 03, 2011
Japan, India agree on 1st bilateral naval exercise in 2012: The Mainichi Daily News

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Defense ministers of Japan and India agreed during talks Wednesday to hold the first bilateral naval exercise involving the two countries next year, Japanese Defense Ministry officials said.

The accord reached between Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa and his Indian counterpart A.K. Antony reflects Japan's desire to boost bilateral defense cooperation with India in view of China's growing maritime assertiveness.

Details such as the timing of the exercise between Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian navy will be worked out in future discussions, the officials said.

During their talks at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, the two ministers also agreed on Ichikawa's visit to India sometime in 2012, the officials said.

With India, Japan held goodwill naval exercises under a trilateral framework with the United States in 2007.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 03 Nov 2011 18:49

India-Japan to step up defence cooperation - The Hindu
Just to add to the above posts,

Maritime security, anti-piracy measures, freedom of navigation and maintaining the security of Sea Lanes of Communication to facilitate unhindered trade by the sea routes were some of the issues that dominated the India-Japan Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday night.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony and his Japanese counterpart Yasuo Ichikawa recognised the importance of sea lanes and decided to ‘actively pursue consultations and cooperation in the field of maritime security both bilaterally and in association with all other countries in the region’, Defence Ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar, who accompanied the delegation said here on Thursday.

Mr. Antony noted that both India and Japan are exchanging escort schedules of their naval vessels deployed in the Gulf of Aden region signalling coordination in anti-piracy efforts. He expressed the hope that respective organisations from both sides like the Director General Shipping would be able to establish a mechanism to share the escort schedules with the merchant ships flagged with them. Discussing specifics of exchanges and defence cooperation, the two sides expressed satisfaction at the planned activities based on agreed annual calendars. The Japanese Defence Minister will visit India early next year.

Early 2012 will see both sides implement the Japan-India Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo, and staff talks between Ground Self Defence Force and Indian Army, staff exchanges between Air Self Defence Force and Indian Air Force. {So, this is becoming comprehensive}

In addition, there would be cadet exchanges between the National Defence Academy of Japan (NDA) and the National Defence Academy of India (NDA). The two sides will also implement exchange of ideas aimed at concrete collaboration, such as joint training for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The Indian delegation included Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, Indian Ambassador to Japan Aloke Prasad, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral R.K. Dhowan and Central Command Chief Lt. Gen. V.K. Ahluwalia.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 04 Nov 2011 08:16

Japan to launch high-speed train sales campaign in India