India and Japan: News and Discussion

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Kashi
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by Kashi »

svinayak wrote:All the countries listed have long extensive contact with Indians travelling to those countries for decades.
Japan is the only exception with least Indian contact
Actually Indians have been in Japan for at least past 100 years. Many settled in Kobe region.

There are 1.5 million British of Indian descent in the UK (and plenty travel back and forth) and our investment there is $779 million, Japan has about ~25,000 residents of Indian extraction and the investment is about $27 million.

Adjusting for population (both Indian and the total of the host nation), Indian investment in Japan would seem pretty high per capita in comparison.

Of course, Singapore is a different kettle of fish altogether, but it could be since many Indian corporates choose to keep their corporate HQs in Singapore for tax reasons- Flipkart is a prime example. And also probably, the recently plugged loophole on investments from Singapore to India.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by svinayak »

Kashi wrote: Adjusting for population (both Indian and the total of the host nation), Indian investment in Japan would seem pretty high per capita in comparison.
It does not work that way. India was removed from the older colonial trading and commerce groups with new alliance in the last 50 years.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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svinayak wrote:It does not work that way. India was removed from the older colonial trading and commerce groups with new alliance in the last 50 years.
I am sorry I do not quite understand. Could you please clarify?
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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India to block Japan’s request for WTO dispute panel on steel penal duties - Amiti Sen, Business Line
India will block Japan’s request for a dispute settlement panel at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against penal duties on steel imports imposed by New Delhi, a government official has said.

Tokyo’s request will be taken up for consideration by the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organisation in its meeting on Tuesday.{i.e. today}

“We are definitely going to block the request. Our argument is that India has not flouted any norms while imposing safeguard duties on certain categories of steel,” the official said.

Japan, however, is expected to make a second request in the next DSB meeting which cannot be blocked as per rules.

In March last year, India had extended safeguard duties — penal duties imposed over and above the regular customs duties to check import surges of identified items — on certain hot-rolled steel items till March 2018. The move was aimed at protecting domestic steel producers suffering from the double blow of low demand and cheap imports.

Japan has alleged that the investigation carried out by the Directorate General of Safeguards in India was not according to procedures laid down by the WTO and the injury determination, which is a measure of disruption suffered by local players, was also faulty.

The Japanese government has estimated that the tariffs could cost Japanese steel companies about $220 million through March 2018, as per reports in the Japanese media.

“We tried to convince Japan in our bilateral consultations on the dispute that no rules had been breached and the safeguard duties were progressively being brought down. But Japan chose to ask for a dispute settlement panel,” the official said.
×

Japan, which has friendly trade relations with India, is taking the strong step of filing a dispute to stop unfair trade actions from spreading, a Japanese industry ministry official reportedly said.

India imposed minimum import price and safeguard duties on steel imports last year to protect the domestic industry.

As per the Finance Ministry’s notification, safeguard duty will apply on hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy and other alloy steel in coils of 600 mm width.

The safeguard duty will be 20 per cent minus any existing dumping duty till September 2016, following which it will be reduced to 18 per cent till March 2017, then brought down to 15 per cent till September 2017 and eventually to 10 per cent by March 2018.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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https://energyinfrapost.com/japan-commi ... cts-india/
Japan has committed an “official development assistance” (ODA) of 371.345 billion yen (about Rs 21,590 crore) under 2016-2017 for various infrastructure projects, including the dedicated freight corridor, in India.

The notes in this regard were exchanged in New Delhi between S Selvakumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs; and Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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Japan pitches for Chabahar port - Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu
Japan is keen on collaborating with India on projects in Asia and Africa as a counter to China’s Belt and Road initiative (B&RI), Tokyo’s Ambassador to New Delhi said here [New Delhi], indicating Japan’s nod for Australia’s bid to join a quadrilateral for military exercises with India and the U.S..

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu , Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu revealed that the Japanese government was in talks with Tehran and New Delhi for a role in the Chabahar port project along with India.

We are interested in connectivity projects and to make sure that this region is free and open and an important port like Chabahar is good for regional connectivity ... I can’t tell when it will materialise, but we have expressed our interest,” Mr. Hiramatsu said. India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement in May 2016 to build trade and transit routes from the strategically located Iranian port into Afghanistan and Central Asia, a $20-billion investment for India, and will be seen as a rival to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s Gwadar port.

Asked if Japan’s plans for connectivity in the region were being challenged by China’s 60-nation BRI, the Ambassador contended that Japan and India could offer similar projects to countries here, based on their common “principles.”

Prosperity, stability

“We are also providing rather generous financing to these countries as well, to enhance prosperity and stability. We hope many of these countries will also choose our projects, some of which we can do in collaboration with India,” he said, adding that Japan shared values of “democracy, freedom of navigation” with India.

The Ambassador’s statement points to the growing discussions on strategic convergence between India and other “Indo-Pacific” powers for whom China’s recent economic moves like the BRI as well as an aggressive maritime stance in the South China Sea have been a matter of concern.

Backing Australia’s request to join the trilateral “Malabar” naval exercises between India, Japan and Australia, Ambassador Hiramatsu said, “We cherish the cooperation with Australia, and we have just had a Japan-Australia-India strategic dialogue and a political dialogue between these three countries, and we will have to see how it develops.”

Speaking about other areas of bilateral strategic cooperation, the Japanese Ambassador said the Indo-Japan civil nuclear cooperation agreement is still on track, and has been presented for ratification in the Japanese Parliament .
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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Japan plans war museum in a Manipur hillock - Iboyaima Laithangbam, The Hindu
Japan plans to build a war museum in a hillock at Maiba Lokpa in Bishnupur district of Manipur where a Japanese camp was located during the Second World War, the country’s Ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu, said here on Sunday.

Mr. Hiramatsu said about 70,000 Japanese soldiers died from March to June in 1944 during battles in Imphal and Kohima. He said the mortal remains of those soldiers would be located for the last rites, seeking the cooperation of the people in the region.

The Ambassador said that 25 persons from Nagaland and Manipur would be invited to visit Japan.

A seminar would also be organised in November to help students interested in pursuing studies in Japan.


Welcoming the museum plans, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh promised assistance to the Japanese government for implementing the project.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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Japanese retailers looking to enter Indian market dominated by European, US brands - Rasul Bailay, Economic Times
India’s rapidly growing fashion and accessories segment has caught the fancy of Japanese retailers and several of them are getting ready to enter a market so far dominated by European and US brands.

A host of retailers from the Land of the Rising Sun, including Mark Styler that owns fashion and lifestyle brands such as Mercuryduo, Dazzlin and Emoda; fast-fashion retailer Miniso; eyewear company Owndays and the Kai Group, which sells products in cooking, grooming and beauty care are scouting for mall space in India’s top cities, senior executives at three top malls said.

A couple of Japanese companies already sell their fashion products in India, a country with a burgeoning and increasingly urbanised and prosperous middle class that is becoming an important growth market for global brands.

Image

Tokyo-based Muji, which retails apparels to home products, entered India last year in a joint venture with Reliance Brands that sells a raft of global brands, including Kenneth Cole, Steve Madden, Diesel and Brooks Brothers. Muji expects India to be its second largest international market after China, where the retailer with no-logo branding operates around 200 outlets.

Kyoto-based luxury lingerie brand Wacoal, too, entered India last year in a joint venture between its Hong Kong unit and India’s Perivbwinkle Fashions.

The largest Japanese fashion company and one of the world’s top four fast-fashion brands, Uniqlo, is preparing to come to India next year. ET reported in January that Uniqlo is entering India on its own and is in talks with mall developers in top cities to open stores.

Image

“In India, I have seen mostly Japanese companies move in a herd — be it automobiles, electronics or other equipments,” said Harminder Sahni, founder of retail consultancy Wazir Advisors. “I see that has started to happen in retail with Muji coming here.”

Kai has already invested about Rs 175 crore in India, the bulk of it in a manufacturing plant at Neemrana outside of New Delhi. The firm, which operates experiential stores in Japan, Hong Kong and other countries, plans to open a store in a New Delhi mall.

“We are under negotiations for a store in a mall in Delhi where we will showcase our products such as kitchen goods, kitchen appliances and related items,” said Rajesh Pandya, Kai’s chief operating officer in India.

Founded in 2013, fast-fashion brand Minisco sells its products through more than 1,400 standalone stores in 31 countries. A spokesperson for Minisco said the company generally appoints franchisees for its brand but will open company-owned stores in India and later appoint sub-franchisees.

One of the mall executives said Mark Styler is in talks with a local company for a franchisee. Masanori Akiyama, the company’s president, did not respond to a text message sent to his phone seeking comment.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by rajsunder »

Kashi wrote: Actually Indians have been in Japan for at least past 100 years. Many settled in Kobe region.

There are 1.5 million British of Indian descent in the UK (and plenty travel back and forth) and our investment there is $779 million, Japan has about ~25,000 residents of Indian extraction and the investment is about $27 million.

Adjusting for population (both Indian and the total of the host nation), Indian investment in Japan would seem pretty high per capita in comparison.

Of course, Singapore is a different kettle of fish altogether, but it could be since many Indian corporates choose to keep their corporate HQs in Singapore for tax reasons- Flipkart is a prime example. And also probably, the recently plugged loophole on investments from Singapore to India.
$779 million figure seems to be too low considering that TATA is the biggest private employer in UK.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/0 ... ogy-india/
Japan-India nuclear cooperation pact clears the Upper House plenary session on Wednesday.
Diet endorses pact to export civil nuclear technology to India
The Diet on Wednesday endorsed the controversial Japan-India civil nuclear cooperation agreement that will allow the nation’s firms to export nuclear materials and technology to India for nonmilitary use.
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http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy ... with-India
Following the approval, the government intends to revise relevant rules under the Nuclear Regulation Authority -- Japan's industry watchdog. Once India takes similar steps and the governments exchange documents, the deal will take effect, possibly by this summer.

The bilateral framework stipulates that the materials and technology supplied by Japan may only be used for peaceful purposes. It also requires India to accept inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In conjunction, the two countries have agreed that Japan will stop cooperating if India breaks its promise to suspend nuclear tests. India's foreign minister made the pledge in 2008.
Japan sees this as a major export opportunity, which partly explains the government's willingness to weather criticism of the deal. The partnership could see Japanese companies get involved in all stages of Indian nuclear plant projects -- from planning and construction to maintenance.

There is virtually no prospect of a nuclear industry renaissance in Japan, not after the Fukushima Daiichi power plant was destroyed in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Yet, the country is loath to lose its technological expertise in the sector. Exporting to India is a way to put that know-how to work.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by ArjunPandit »

Will that open up the way for US reactors?
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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http://thediplomat.com/2017/06/japans-o ... ern-india/
Japan’s Outreach to Northeastern India
Japanese investment will play an important role in linking India’s northeast with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
An interesting development has been the participation of Japan in key infrastructure projects in India’s northeast. This has sent a strong message to China that New Delhi will explore all possible options. In April 2017, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement with the Union government in New Delhi to provide over 67 billion yen ($610 million) for Phase I of the North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project. Phase 1 will see the enhancement of National Highway 54 and National Highway 51 in Mizoram and Meghalaya. NH-54 is located in central Mizoram, and a stretch of the targeted section of NH-54, spread over 350 kilometers, extends from Aizawl to Tuipang in Mizoram.

The improvement of NH-54 is not just vital for the state, but also will enhance connectivity of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transport Corridor, which seeks to link India’s northeastern states with the rest of India via Myanmar, by roads, inland water transport, and marine transport. These projects will also complement the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor, something the previous U.S. administration had pushed for. The Corridor seeks to enhance connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia through Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Japanese participation in the northeast is very much in sync with the December 2015 declaration issued during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit. Seeking synergy between India’s Act East policy and Japan’s “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure,” Abe and Modi agreed to create top class, durable infrastructure that would improve connectivity not just within India, and between India and other countries in the region.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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India sees Japan as its special strategic partner: Jaishankar
http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-253334.html
Singapore, July 11: Japan has steadily emerged as a special strategic partner of India and is committed to its infrastructure modernisation, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said Tuesday....."We also see enhanced synergy between India and Japan on connectivity and maritime security as positive for ASEAN nations," said the Foreign Secretary.
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Malabar drills aim at giving regional security, says Japan - The Hindu
The trilateral Naval exercise, Malabar 2017, involving India, the U.S. and Japan, is strategically very important and meant to maintain the rule of law and maritime security in the region, Japanese Ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu said on Friday.

In an interview to The Hindu , Mr Hiramatsu said, “This is very significant politically and [of] very symbolic value that the three countries are working together to safeguard the rule of law and maritime security in this region.”

Earlier this week, Indian and U.S. Naval officials had said the exercise was not aimed at China in the light of Beijing’s repeated concerns about the joint exercises.

The Ambassador said his country’s relations with India had a solid base, “for safeguarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region” adding that there could be more exchanges involving ground and air forces and an exchange of personnel in various areas.

Cooperation in Africa

Asked whether the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor project — envisaging an India-Japan collaboration in Africa — was to counter China’s Belt and Road project, the Ambassador said it was not aimed at any specific initiative.

“Our Prime Minister [Shinzo Abe] had already said it [Asia-Africa Growth Corridor] was for a free and open Indo-Pacific region and to make this region more inter-connected and prosperous. We are not particularly counter-balancing to some initiative. We are convinced this initiative is important for prosperity and security of this region,” he said.

Concrete plans

On whether India and Japan would take up specific pilot projects in Africa, the Ambassador said there was a “good win-win situation”.

“We think that India has vast experience, network in eastern part of Africa. We have good technology and financing to support African development,” Mr Hiramatsu said, adding that Japan has been working with Indian officials and businessmen for “a concrete development plan” in Africa.

On the next steps in the on the civil nuclear agreement, signed between the two countries last year, given the Diet’s approval of the pact recently, the Ambassador expressed the hope that there would be discussion “in due course of time.”

Happy with GST

Mr. Hiramatsu said the political situation was stable in India and this was one of the attractions for Japanese investors.

The Ambassador added that Japanese investors in India were “very happy” with roll out of the GST. “We were waiting for this for many years. This is very good for facilitating smooth transportation from one State to another and it is a very simple tax system,” he said.

×
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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Chennai Metro: Japan awaits nod to fund - The Hindu
Japan is awaiting a formal request of the Union government to fund the next phase of Chennai Metro Rail project, estimated to cost Rs. 85,047 crore, according to Kenji Hiramatsu, Japan’s Ambassador to India.

“On that basis, we are ready to look into the project in a very serious manner,” Mr. Hiramatsu told The Hindu
on Friday, responding to a question whether the Central government had sounded Japan out on the proposal mooted by the Tamil Nadu government in the light of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s financial assistance for the first phase.

Earlier, the Ambassador along with Consul General Seiji Baba met Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the Secretariat.

3 corridors in Phase II

As part of the second phase of the Metro Rail project, three corridors — Madhavaram to Siruseri, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus in Koyambedu to Light House in Triplicane and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur — have been proposed for a length of 107.55 km.

In the first phase, covering a distance of 45 km and costing Rs. 14,600 crore, two corridors — Washermenpet-Chennai Airport and Chennai Central Station-St Thomas Mount — were taken up.

Now, services are operated in the sections of Koyambedu-Alandur, Chennai Airport-Little Mount, Alandur-St Thomas Mount and Thirumangalam-Nehru Park, Purasawalkam, totaling 27.35 km.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the progress of implementation of the first phase of the Metro Rail project, Mr. Hiramatsu termed the project “very important” and replied, “I hope to see early completion of the project.”

[In September 2015, in an interview with this newspaper, Muneo Kuruachi, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Japan-India Business Cooperation Committee, had expressed concern over the slow pace of the execution of the project.]

Asked for his comment on the perception in certain quarters that the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) programme, whose master plan was drafted by the JICA, had not taken off, the Japanese Ambassador replied that work on some projects under the CBIC, such as industrial townships, had begun. “I include [Chennai] Metro Rail project as part of the CBIC.” He added that there was “rapid movement” under the programme.

Bullet train

On the status of a bullet-train project covering Mumbai and Ahmadabad, Mr. Hiramatsu said the project would be completed by 2023.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by Karthik S »

There were reports of entire Phase 2 being underground, may be due to notoriously narrow Chennai roads. The Chennai Bengaluru Mysore HSR feasibility study has been given to Germans. Don't understand the logic, when Japan is funding CBIC, wouldn't it make better sense to grant them HSR too.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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India, Japan civil nuclear deal comes into force - The Hindu
The landmark India-Japan civil nuclear agreement came into force on Thursday. Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar exchanged the diplomatic notes with the Japanese envoy to India to formalise the completion of the process.

“The India-Japan Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy entered into force on July 20, 2017 with the exchange of diplomatic notes between Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary and H.E. Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India,” said a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.


The pact was signed in Tokyo during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Japan on November 11, 2016.

“This Agreement is a reflection of the strategic partnership between India and Japan and will pave the way for enhanced cooperation in energy security and clean energy. It seeks to promote full cooperation between the two countries in the development and uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes on a stable, reliable and predictable basis,” said the statement.

The deal is essential for bringing a network of nuclear energy cooperation for India, especially with the U.S. as prominent American nuclear companies are owned by the Japanese nuclear majors like Toshiba.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt-eG7husl4

Karolina Goswami expands her repertoire: Now a video on Indo-Japanese ties.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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X posted from the India-US relations: News and Discussions IV thread.

Excerpts from August 17 joint press conference held by US and Japan Defense and Foreign Affairs officials dealing with India.

US Secretary of State, Rex W Tillerson:
We will also cooperate to advance trilateral and multilateral security and defense cooperation with other partners in the region, notably the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, and other southeast Asian countries.
Foreign Minister of Japan, Taro Kono:
ROK, Australia, India, and Southeast Asian countries – we will promote more than ever before cooperation and security and defense.
There was no India specific remark made by US Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis (Retd.) or for that matter by Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera who were also present.

Excerpts from the US State Department website at the below weblink:

Remarks With Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, and Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera at a Press Availability
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Japan’s Ambassador to India, Kenji Hirramatsu, on Doklam aka Dok La:

On Doklam, Japan Backs India, Says 'Must Not Change Status Quo By Force'
………… "We understand that the area is disputed between China and Bhutan, and that both countries recognize the existence of a dispute," Japanese Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu told journalists yesterday in response to a question.

"What is important in disputed areas is that all parties involved do not resort to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, and resolve the dispute in a peaceful manner."

The envoy said Japan has been watching the situation "very closely" as it "can affect the stability of the entire region."

On India's role, Ambassador Hiramatsu said, "We understand that India is involved in this incident based on bilateral agreements with Bhutan. External Affairs Minister Swaraj has made it clear that India would continue to engage with dialogue through diplomatic channels to find a mutually acceptable solution. We consider this attitude towards peaceful resolution important." ………
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India, Japan to step up defence cooperation - PTI
India and Japan have agreed to collaborate closely in defence production, including on dual- use technologies, as the two countries resolved to ramp up overall military engagement under the bilateral special strategic framework.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera yesterday held wide-ranging talks, as part of the India-Japan annual defence ministerial dialogue in Tokyo during which issues relating to the US-2 amphibious aircraft also figured, a joint press statement said.


The decision by India and Japan to boost defence ties comes amid escalating tension in the region in the wake of the nuclear test by North Korea and China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

The two sides also agreed to commence technical discussions for research collaboration in the areas of Unmanned Ground Vehicles and Robotics.

India plans to buy the US-2 ShinMaywa aircraft from Japan for its navy. Last year, China had reacted angrily to reports that Japan plans to sell weapons to India at cheaper prices, saying that such a move is disgraceful.

The two sides also agreed to ramp up counter-terror cooperation, besides deepening engagement among navies, air forces and ground forces of the two countries.

"The Ministers exchanged views and ideas with the aim to further strengthen defence and security cooperation under the framework of the 'Japan-lndia Special Strategic and Global Partnership'," the statement said today.

It said Jaitley and Onodera deliberated on the current security situation in the Indo-Pacific region and condemned in the strongest terms North Korea's latest nuclear test and called upon the country to cease such action which adversely impacts peace and stability of the region and beyond.

Reviewing bilateral defence ties, they commended the progress made in discussions to identify specific areas of collaboration in the field of defence equipment and technology cooperation for production of various military platforms.

"They noted the effort made by both countries regarding the cooperation on US-2 amphibious aircraft," said the statement.

The ministers endorsed the importance of enhancing interaction between governments and defence industries of the two countries to encourage collaboration, including for defence and dual-use technologies.

In the meeting, Jaitley briefed about India's policy reforms in the defence manufacturing sectors, saying the country offers huge opportunities for foreign industries to play an active role.

Seeking to further intensify naval cooperation, Onodera expressed his intention to have state-of-the-art Japanese assets, including P-1 maritime patrol aircraft to participate in next year's trilateral Malabar naval exercise which also involves the US Navy.

"The two sides will consider inclusion of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training to expand cooperation. In addition the ministers agreed to pursue exchanges and training by ASW aviation units such as P-3C," the statement said. P-3C is an anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft.

The Japanese side proposed to invite Indian Navy personnel to mine-countermeasures training held by it.

Jaitley attended the dialogue with Japan as defence minister though Nirmala Sitharaman was given the defence portfolio in the cabinet reshuffle on Sunday. Jaitley had said there were logistical constraints for her to attend the dialogue.

At the talks, the two sides also welcomed the constructive engagement between Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistic Agency (ATLA) and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The defence and security cooperation between India and Japan is on an upswing and both countries are exploring ways to further deepen it.

Prime Minister Modi had visited Japan in November last year during which both sides had decided to ramp up bilateral defence and security cooperation.
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Modi, Japanese PM to kick-start bullet train project on Sept 14 - Virendra Pandit, Business Line
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe will lay the foundation stone of the proposed High Speed Rail Network — or, the bullet train — between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, here [Ahmedabad] on September 14.

The ground-breaking and foundation stone laying ceremony for the joint Indo-Japanese project will be held at the Sabarmati Football Grounds, a railway official said here on Thursday. The Ahmedabad Railway Junction’s main station is also proposed to be gradually relocated from the crowded Kalupur to Sabarmati Railway Station area.

The bullet train project is expected to cost nearly ₹1.10 lakh crore and will be completed by 2022. The train will cover the 508-km-long distance between Ahmedabad and Mumbai in less than three hours at a speed of 350 km per hour. It will stop at each of the 12 railway stations on the route precisely for 165 seconds! A 21-km-long tunnel will be dug between Boisar and Mumbai’s BKC, of which seven km will be under water.

According to reports, Japan will extend 81 per cent of the cost as debt for 50 years at an interest of 0.1 per cent and its repayment will start after 15 years of the commencement of operations.

Investment summit

On this occasion, an investment Summit will also be organized between the Indian side and a Japanese delegation comprising representatives from Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
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http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indi ... 42603.html
Why a Japanese thinks India will be the world's last superpower
The 'Special, Strategic and Global Partnership' between the two nations increasingly gives priority to security cooperation. PM Abe's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy' and PM Modi's 'Act East' policy promote security cooperation bilaterally and trilaterally, by engaging common friend US. This reflects in China's geopolitical advances. Beijing's 'One Belt, One Road' strategy aims to expand economic interests and politico-military influence along the ancient Silk Road and the sea lanes, from South China Sea to Europe through the Indian Ocean. Chinese harassment over territorial issues extends from India's Himalayan borders to the South China Sea and East China Sea.
India might question the validity of its own policy of strategic autonomy in the light of the new dimension of the Indo-US security relationship. The Malabar joint maritime exercises by the US and Indian navies have become a routine feature. In fact, US's Seventh Fleet covers both the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In Japan, the long-established 'three principles of export of weaponry' have been eased to promote security cooperation with friendly countries, in view of the gradually deteriorating security environment in East Asia. Some equipment, including Japanese coast guard ships if not ships of the Self-Defense Forces, has been provided to ASEAN countries threatened by Chinese expansion in South China Sea. Japan should ask itself if the above principles be eased further for security cooperation with India.he visit by both PMs to Mahatma Gandhi's ashram in Ahmedabad will be an opportunity to make a renewed appeal that Gandhi's philosophy still holds true. They are expected to renew the commitment to promote democracy and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region.Recently, I launched the book The Last Superpower India, published by Nikkei BP. I believe in some decades, India, with its size (land mass and population expanding quantitatively and improving qualitatively), growing economic and military might and increasing international influence, will acquire superpower status. No other country will emerge as a superpower after India. Currently, the United States is categorised as a superpower. China and Russia may be termed superpowers, but with suspect political systems and their sympathy toward dubious regimes, they are not respected powers. It is my hope that India would become a great peace-loving and democratic power worthy of the title 'super' in the true sense of the term.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by ramana »

^^^

So there is book called "Tribes' by Joel Kotkin. He thinks by 2100 and definitely by 2150 the world will fracture into tribal areas dominated by 5 mega core regions. The natural grouping he thinks for now is social compatibility.

http://wjcohen.home.mindspring.com/othe ... tribes.htm

In essence it's a five group mega janapada system.

I think our plan or our job is to put in place a 500 to 1000 year self correcting system in place that will survive the tribal phase.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by Suresh S »

Mr Hirabayashi,s prediction will come true. I said pretty much the same thing to my visiting relatives few months ago , around 2050-60 time frame.By that time India will become the world,s largest economy and one of the leading military powers.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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India may agree to buy Japanese US-2i aircraft for $1.3 b.
India may finally agree to buy the Japanese ShinMaywa US-2i amphibious aircraft in a deal worth $1.30 billion for the Navy during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during September 13-14.

According to sources, Jaitley’s meeting with Onodera had been “fruitful” in the backdrop of Japan sweetening the deal by offering 10-15 per cent discount on each of the plan that cost over $100 million.

India plans to buy 12 of this search-and-rescue (SAR) maritime surveillance aircraft which the Indian Navy plans to deploy strategically at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the objective of carrying out patrols in the larger Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

However, the deal has been stuck for over seven years now due to the high cost of the planes. According to the agreed plan, the Ministry of Defence will be buying 12 planes off the shelf. Subsequently, at a later stage the government will be procuring 18 more that will be built in India under the ‘Make in India’ programme.

“Building the plane here will be next phase of the deal. As of now the focus is on procuring the 12 planes in fly-away condition.

“This is because having a platform is an absolute necessity for the Navy. And there are few suppliers for this kind of an aircraft. This will be a great asset in protecting our interest in the IOR,” said an official, involved in the deal.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by Kashi »

I wonder if Japan will offer F-2 as a part of "Make in India" SE fighter programme...

If they are willing to discount ShinMaywa, they may be willing with F-2 as well.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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Wary of OBOR, India and Japan look to ramp up regional connectivity - Sachin Parashar, ToI
While the groundbreaking ceremony of India's first bullet train will be the highlight of PM Shinzo Abe's visit starting Wednesday, the two countries are quietly firming up plans to take their ties "beyond the bilateral" in the form of cooperation in building infrastructure and connectivity in third countries.

With an eye on China's OBOR, India and Japan are looking to ensure that Abe's fourth summit with his counterpart provides an impetus to shared initiatives like Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC), Tokyo's participation in development of Chabahar port project and the commitment to ensuring "free and open Indo-Pacific".


The twin cities here [Ahmedabad] are decked out with flags of the two countries with Modi all set to kick off Abe's visit with a road show from the airport to Sabarmati Ashram. The road show, complete with cultural programmes performed by artistes all along the 8-km route, will perhaps be the one noticeable difference from the otherwise grand welcome offered to Chinese President Xi Jinping when he came here in 2015.

Another significant highlight is expected to be the scheduled visit of Modi and Abe Wednesday evening to Ahmedabad's iconic Sidi Sayyed mosque where Modi is expected to play the role of Abe's guide. The mosque was built by the Gujarat Sultanate which was annexed by the Mughals in the late 16th century.

Behind the scenes though, officials from the two countries are busy thrashing out the agenda for the bilateral engagement on Thursday. After the civil nuclear agreement came into effect earlier this year, there are no real outstanding issues left between the two countries and both believe it is now time to take the special strategic partnership to another level. Civil nuclear cooperation and the defence partnership, with Tokyo willing to supply military technology, are likely to emerge as the two strongest pillars of cooperation between India and Japan.

Both countries believe that Japan's generous financing and India's presence and the goodwill it enjoys in parts of Africa can together help improve connectivity between the two continents. The visit is likely to see the formal launch of AAGC with India and Japan showcasing it as an initiative based—unlike what's the case with China's OBOR—on rule of law and transparency.


The joint statement which will be issued after the Modi-Abe dialogue is likely to again reflect the synergy between India's Act East policy and Japan's Expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure meant to facilitate better regional integration.

The two countries are also likely to further discuss cooperation in improving cooperation on the Chabahar port project in Iran. During the last summit, Modi and Abe had called for discussions to facilitate Japan's involvement and Tokyo remains keen to improve connectivity for the project which will help India overcome geographical constraints in accessing Afghanistan and central Asia.

Earlier this year, Afghanistan confirmed Japan's pledge to develop access for Chabahar after a visit to Kabul by a Japanese minister. India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement last year in May for establishing transport and transit corridors for the strategically located port in Iran.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

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An alliance on track: on the bullet train project - Pallavi Aiyyar, The Hindu
hen Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad this week, the bilateral agenda will range from issues of maritime security to nuclear energy and trade. But at the centrepiece of their summitry will be the inauguration of India’s first high-speed rail corridor from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, to be developed using Japanese technology and financing.

The image of the platypus-snouted blue and white Shinkansen streaking past a snow-topped Mount Fuji has become as synonymous with Japan as sushi. Since October 1964, when the first bullet trains collapsed the time it took to cover the 552 km between Tokyo and the commercial centre of Osaka to four hours (today it is down to 2 hours, 22 minutes), the Shinkansen has emerged as the symbol of Japan’s post-World War II ascent to economic superpowerdom. It encapsulates the archipelago’s engineering might and almost preternatural standards of safety and punctuality. Japan’s Shinkansen have carried over 10 billion passengers to date, without a single accident or casualty and an average delay of less than one minute.

Yet, despite this admirable track record, Japan has struggled to export its bullet train know-how, even as Mr. Abe has made selling the technology abroad a cornerstone of his game plan to revitalise the stagnant Japanese economy. Before signing on India, Taiwan had been Japan’s only successful sale. But Taiwan is hardly a poster child for the system, given that its high-speed line has suffered heavy losses since opening in 2007.

Profitability is a notoriously hard ask for high-speed train networks. Most lines across Europe, for example, are in the red. In Japan, some routes, notably Tokyo-Osaka, are profitable, but to achieve this requires high volumes of passengers and highly priced tickets. It costs around $130 for a one-way Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Osaka. And over 350 trains operate on this line daily, ferrying about 163 million passengers a year. The region served is demographically dense, home to over half of Japan’s population. These conditions are not easy to replicate and other high-speed lines in Japan have struggled.

Chinese competition


The latest challenge to Japan’s ambitions is the emergence of China as the new emperor of the superfast train. Over the last decade China has developed a 22,000 km high-speed rail network. It boasts the ‘world’s fastest train’, the Shanghai Maglev that hits speeds of 430 km. Its technology is also cheaper, making it an attractive proposition for the cost-conscious developing and middle-income countries of Asia.

In 2015, China pipped Japan to the post at the last minute by securing a high-speed rail project in Indonesia that had been considered by Tokyo to be in the bag. One reason Beijing unexpectedly won out was because China offered to finance the line without any recourse to Indonesia’s government coffers. In the years since, the project has stalled following land acquisition problems. Nonetheless, China has also beaten Tokyo to becoming Thailand’s partner of choice for its first high-speed rail line, permissions for which were finally granted after a two-year delay.

The battle to export bullet trains is clearly reflective of the broader rivalry between China and Japan for influence in Asia. Consequently, the India deal is not only a business coup for Japan but also a geostrategic one. Former Ambassador of Japan to India and President of the Japan-India Association, Hiroshi Hirabayashi, acknowledged as much. “India is not Indonesia or Thailand. It is a great nation, totally autonomous. And it’s not as likely to submit to Chinese pressure,” he said of India’s decision to go with Tokyo.

Ironing out the niggles

For Japan, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad contract has been hard-won. It entails a loan worth $12 billion, at 0.1% interest, to be paid back over 50 years, taking care of over 80% of the project’s estimated costs. Japan will also supplement the financing with a generous package of technical assistance and training.

Yet in India, concerns related to costs, safety and misplaced priorities persist. Tomoyuki Nakano, the Director for International Engineering Affairs of Japan’s Railway Bureau, remained confident of ironing these out with some tweaks to the Japanese technology taking into account climatic differences, the possibility of electrical blackouts, as well as dust and other environmental conditions in India. He also pointed out that when Japan developed its first Shinkansen lines in the 1960s, it was a poor country as well that had required loans from the World Bank.

But what about the enormous software or cultural differences between Japan and India? Mr. Nakano was sanguine. “When we had Indians coming here (to Tokyo) for training, I noticed some of them were quite late. But after two weeks in Japan they became very punctual :D , {Now, that's a great optimism} ” he concluded.

Pallavi Aiyar has reported from China, Europe, Indonesia and Japan. She is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by deWalker »

Ramesh Thakur (who?!), from Canberra Oz, barfs in the Japan Times about Modi, on every perceived grievance from demo to surgical strikes to GST. Indeed, he says "It’s hard for the most ardent Indophiles to remain optimistic about India’s future."

Can't believe, this is the best editorial choice that Japan Times had on hand to discuss Modi's visit!

Modi’s actions fail to live up to his words

Diwakar
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by arshyam »

Looks like Japan also has its share of congi types in it's media. Not everyone is supportive of Abe's muscular policies. The pacifist lobby is also strong is what I understand.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by Philip »

I have a great plan for the Indo-Japanese corridor.While the Ind. Rlys. require much needed safety and modernisation,the bullet trains linking the 4 metros and metros with tier-2 cities could even be extended to neighbouring countries like BDesh,Burma and Sri Lanka. Funded by Japan,an undersea link with
Sri Lanka or a rail bridge linking the two countries would immensely benefit both states.There's been a lot of angst in some sections of the island what a link such as this would happen for the smaller state,but from the touristic point of view, "bread and butter" for the island. The tunnel could start from Rameswaram/Dhanushkodi and not damage the "Adam's Bridge"/"Rama Sethu" string of shoals which are a feature of the region. Like the Chunnel linking Frane/Europe to Britain,a similar chunnel would pay for itself over a century.Flights between India and Sri Lanka are steadil;y increasing and almost all flights are full.A high-speed rail link between the two countries would be v.beneficial.

Similarly,a rail link through BDesh into Burma and from there into Malaysia,linking up with the existing network into Spore,Thailand ,would be another winner.Forget about the west and Pak.Here,we need to follow Israel and Trump's idea, a "great wall",which China can pay for! :rotfl:

When we're looking at the massive price being paid for a meagre number of Apaches,the price for 10-12 US-2 amphibs ,after the discount offered allegedly,is worth consideration and should be swiftly sealed. However,the amphibs must come with provision for ASW sensors and weaponry. They would be v. expensive toys for mere logistic support and SAR,where there are much cheaper excellent alternatives like the Berievs and where even our reg. IAF transports could do so using the airfields on the islands. The ability of US-2s to weather 3m waves would be v.useful in porsecuting enemy subs in adverse weather.

Meanwhile KIm the youngest is on heat again with this latest warning to Japan!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 45861.html
North Korea threatens to 'sink Japan into the sea with a nuclear bomb' and reduce US to 'ashes and darkness'
Pyongyang’s Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee hits out at UN Security Council over sanctions and calls southern neighbour 'traitors and dogs
' :rotfl:

Jack Kim, Kiyoshi Takenaka
North Korea has repeatedly defied UN sanctions by developing nuclear weapons and testing missile systems AFP/Getty
A North Korean state agency has threatened to use nuclear weapons to “sink” Japan and reduce the United States to “ashes and darkness” for supporting a UN Security Council resolution and sanctions over its latest nuclear test.

Pyongyang’s Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, which handles the North’s external ties and propaganda, also called for the breakup of the Security Council, which it called “a tool of evil” made up of “money-bribed” countries that move at the order of the United States.

“The four islands of the archipelago should be sunken into the sea by the nuclear bomb of Juche. Japan is no longer needed to exist near us,” the committee said in a statement carried by the North’s official KCNA news agency.

READ MORE
North Korea says they will make US suffer the greatest pain'
Juche is the North’s ruling ideology that mixes Marxism and an extreme form of go-it-alone nationalism preached by state founder Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of the current leader, Kim Jong-un.

Regional tensions have risen markedly since the reclusive North conducted its sixth, and by far its most powerful, nuclear test on 3 September.

The 15-member Security Council voted unanimously on a US-drafted resolution and a new round of sanctions on Monday in response, banning North Korea’s textile exports that are the second largest only to coal and mineral, and capping fuel supplies.

The North reacted to the latest action by the Security Council, which had the backing of veto-holding China and Russia, by reiterating threats to destroy the United States, Japan and South Korea.

Japan refuelling US missile defence ships keeping watch on North Korean threat: source

“Let’s reduce the US mainland into ashes and darkness. Let’s vent our spite with mobilisation of all retaliation means which have been prepared till now,” the statement said.

Japan’s Nikkei stock index and dollar/yen currency pared gains, although traders said that was more because of several Chinese economic indicators that were released on Thursday rather than a reaction to the North’s latest statement.

READ MORE
South Korea tests new 'stealth' cruise missile in show against North
Tourists plant rice in famine stricken North Korea
Donald Trump says strictest-ever North Korea sanctions 'no big deal'
US threatens action against China unless it follows Korea sanctions
Kim Jong-un 'using old Google Earth photos to map nuclear targets'
South Korea’s won also edged down around the same time over domestic financial concerns.

The North’s latest threats also singled out Japan for “dancing to the tune” of the United States, saying it should never be pardoned for not offering a sincere apology for its “never-to-be-condoned crimes against our people”, an apparent reference to Japan’s wartime aggression.

It also referred to South Korea as “traitors and dogs” of the United States.
Japan criticised the North’s statement harshly.

“This announcement is extremely provocative and egregious. It is something that markedly heightens regional tension and is absolutely unacceptable,” Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference on Thursday.

North Korea had already categorically rejected the Security Council resolution imposing sanctions over its latest test, vowing to press ahead with its nuclear and missile programmes in defiance of international pressure.

A tougher initial US draft of Monday’s resolution was weakened to win the support of China and Russia. Significantly, it stopped short of imposing a full embargo on oil exports to North Korea, most of which come from China.

The latest sanctions also make it illegal for foreign firms to form commercial joint ventures with North Korean entities.

US President Donald Trump has vowed that North Korea will never be allowed to threaten the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile, but has also asked China to do more to rein in its isolated neighbor. China in turn favors an international response to the problem.

Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb
The North accuses the United States, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea, of planning to invade and regularly threatens to destroy it and its Asian allies.

The United States and South Korea are technically still at war with North Korea because the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce and not a peace treaty.
PS:Now we know where the Pakis got their "djinn power" ideology from,NoKo with the 3 Kim's and "Juche"!
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by g.sarkar »

http://www.sify.com/news/as-pm-modi-and ... cbdfe.html
As PM Modi and Japan's Abe shake hands in India, Chinese media lashes out
Thu, Sep 14, 2017 16:16 hrs
Beijing: As Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits India, a Chinese daily has said that close ties between New Delhi and Tokyo posed no "grave threat" to Beijing. China has always been wary of growing proximity between India and Japan with whom it has territorial disputes. The state-run Chinese media has often been critical of fast developing ties between India and Japan. An op-ed in the Global Times said "the India-Japan intimacy is more like a contrivance" and both were "are unlikely to challenge China without giving it a serious thought". It said China would never follow India and Japan "who have somewhat lost themselves". "Under the international relations logic of the 21st century, closer India-Japan ties won't pose grave threats to China because many of their emotional moves to console each other won't produce any real effects in challenging China.
.....
Gautam
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by g.sarkar »

http://www.firstpost.com/india/shinzo-a ... 38727.html
Shinzo Abe's visit to India: Hostile China pulls New Delhi-Tokyo together as the two step up strategic cooperation
IndiaFP StaffSep, 13 2017 15:49:17 IST
Ahead of Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him and highlighted the importance of New Delhi-Tokyo ties not just in English but also in Japanese. The enthusiasm and the preparations in Gujarat to welcome Abe is reflective of a deepening relationship between the two nations, who not only have shared strategic interests but also a desire to counter the growing presence of China to maintain a status quo.
As the two leaders look forward to further advancing "the new era in Japan-India relations," it is pertinent to note that after the Doka La standoff, a number of countries are looking towards India for help. New Delhi's ties with Tokyo will come in handy when countering the expansionist desires of China. As Christophe Jaffrelot notes, "India-Japan partnership could be a cornerstone of a larger coalition of countries eager to resist China." Even during the Sikkim standoff, Japan supported India and it came as no surprise because Tokyo has itself been at the receiving end of a territorial row with Beijing over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands
Ahead of Abe's visit, Union minister Arun Jaitley visited Japan, in the capacity of the defence minister, in September this year and met his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera in Tokyo. A range of bilateral and regional issues relating to security and defence were deliberated at length during talks. Since Modi’s visit to Tokyo in November last year, the defence and security cooperation between the two nations is on an upswing. As Abe notes, "Japan-India relationship is blessed with the largest potential in the world" and Jaitley's visit to Tokyo followed closely by Abe's own visit to India indicates that both the nations want to utilise the ties to their full potential. Before leaving office and handing over the reins of the defence ministry to Nirmala Sitharaman, Jaitley told the Japanese defence minister, who will visit India in 2018, that India hopes to pursue a strategic partnership with Japan for regional peace and stability. He discussed issues relating to the US-2 amphibious aircraft with his Japanese counterpart. India and Japan also agreed to collaborate closely in defence production, including on dual-use technologies, as the two countries resolved to ramp up overall military engagement under the bilateral special strategic framework.
India also plans to buy the US-2 ShinMaywa aircraft from Japan for its navy. In a first, the Japanese chief of staff and Japan self defence forces will also visit India in the first half of 2018, according to Livemint. The two armies will also step up cooperation in Counter-Terrorism and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and conduct a counter-terrorism exercise next year.
The ministers also agreed to pursue exchanges and training by Anti-Submarine Warfare aviation units and the Japanese side proposed to invite Indian Navy personnel to mine-countermeasures training. Both the nations also finalised their nuclear deal taking the ties between the two countries another leap together. The landmark civil nuclear cooperation deal between the two countries provides for collaboration between their industries came into force after six years of negotiations this year. The civil nuclear cooperation agreement was signed in November 2016, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tokyo.
"No friend will matter more in realising India's economic dreams than Japan. We have made enormous progress in economic cooperation as also in our regional partnership and security cooperation," said Modi after signing the deal.
Japan has also been deeply involved in several infrastructure projects in India like the Delhi-Mumbai Freight Corridor, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, metro projects in Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway, setting up of several Japanese industrial townships. Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe's ambitious target for doubling Japanese investment within 5 years and his commitment for $35 billion for different infrastructure projects for five years bolstered Modi’s dream for 'Make in India'. While welcoming Japanese investors, he ensured "red carpet minus red tape" in his last visit to Japan.
...
Gautam
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by Karthik S »



Informative video.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by Vivek K »

Small anecdote told to me by my father in the 90s: My father was a Chemical Engineer and through work (looking for transfer of Tech) he had made friends with individuals in Mitsubishi (could have been Marubeni but right now Mitsubishi comes to mind). One evening after their meeting, my father noticed the Japanese having a celebration of sorts. He politely inquired about the reason for the celebration and was told - in 1960s (or 50s), the same group of individuals was sent to India to acquire training at the Bhilai Steel Plant in India. That evening after their training, the young engineers came back to the hotel and cried - because they did not have an equivalent steel plant. Today he said they were celebrating because they were selected to provide technical know how and assistance to upgrade the same steel plant.

Lesson - we need to learn from the Japanese; it is ok to buy initial tech (which India did in the 60s and 70s) but not to be able to develop their own tech forever, is a serious issue. Therefore buying U-2/F-2 (and observing the cheers here) is symptomatic of a grass roots deficiency in technological capability. If after 50 years of buying a product, India is still not a player in that field then in my opinion becoming a dominion of the US/Roos or some other advanced country would be preferred. At least we could hope to have good paying jobs in the homeland instead of jumping to foreign shores.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by Amber G. »

Meanwhile a really interesting and important news -
(Related to increasing nuclear cooperation between India and Japan)
Japan commission supports nuclear power despite Fukushima
Japan's nuclear policy-setting Atomic Energy Commission called Thursday for nuclear power to remain a key component of the country's energy supply despite broad public support for a less nuclear-reliant society.

The commission recommended in a report that nuclear power account for at least 20 percent of Japan's energy supply in 2030, citing a previous government energy plan. It said rising utility costs caused by expensive fossil fuel imports and slow reactor restarts have affected Japan's economy.
The 322-page "nuclear white paper" is the commission's first since a serious accident at a nuclear plant in Fukushima in 2011. Much of it explains government efforts to clean up the damaged plant and tighten safety standards.
The resumption of the nuclear policy report is a sign of Japan's accelerating efforts to restart more reactors.

<snip>


Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-09-japan-com ... a.html#jCp
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by Cosmo_R »

I don't know if this is really true or the writer is being disingenuous:

"The Importance of a Japan-India Amphibious Aircraft Deal. The conclusion of an India-Japan deal for the transfer of ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft will bear immense strategic importance."

..."a symbolic first trade is an extremely important political step to change the mood in Japan. If India concludes the US-2 trade, then people who support the arms trade will get political power and will be active to suggest further arms trade. Especially, immediately after Japan failed to export its Soryu submarines to Australia, the effects of the conclusion of the US-2 trade will set a new mood for Japan-India defense cooperation. Therefore, a US-2 deal should not be regarded as a single transaction; it can open the door to the procurement of a wider varieties of defense-related technologies for India from Japan."

http://thediplomat.com/2016/12/the-impo ... raft-deal/

The only problem is if India uses up $1-1.5 billion to purchase these a/c that MP shot down as low priority, it eats into funds for the more important items.
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Re: India and Japan: News and Discussion

Post by SSridhar »

Japan to fund mass rapid transit systems in Gujarat, Haryana - Arun S, The Hindu
Funds from a Japanese government loan will soon be utilised for the first time in the $100 billion, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project. So far, the mega-project was being developed only with the Indian government’s financial assistance.

The DMIC spans six States (Uttar Pradesh, Delhi National Capital Region, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra). It uses ‘the 1,500-km-long, high-capacity western Dedicated Railway Freight Corridor (DFC) as the backbone’ and aims to be ‘a global manufacturing and investment destination’.

Several rail links

A soft loan (with concessional conditions) to the tune of $4.5 billion to be extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will shortly be utilised to develop two Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) — one each in Gujarat and Haryana — that will be part of the DMIC, official sources told The Hindu .

The JICA is the Japanese governmental agency in charge of implementation of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) — with the main objective of ‘promoting economic development and welfare in developing countries. The interest rate of the loan (in Japanese Yen) will be kept ‘very low’ (at 0.1%) and have a ‘long’ repayment period (at 40 years, including a 10-year grace period).

According to JICA, its “ODA to India started in 1958” and so far around “Rs. 2.75 lakh crore in ODA loans have been committed for development across various sectors.” As per JICA, it is “India’s biggest bilateral donor.”

Incidentally, a JICA loan worth Rs. 88,000 crore, on similar terms , will be used to build the Rs. 1.08 lakh crore Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project. JICA loans/assistance are being used to facilitate development of Metro rail networks including in Delhi and the Western DFC. The MRTS in Gujarat will be ‘at grade’ (ground level) and link Ahmedabad to the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR).
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