he young population in Japan is decreasing with every passing year and in such a scenario, the skilled and professional workforce from India can play a major role in the development of both countries, according to Masakazu Sakakida, Chairman and Managing Director of Mitsubishi Corporation India Private Limited. He was here on Monday to inaugurate the Japan Information Study Centre at the Department of Foreign Languages in Andhra University.
Talking to The Hindu , Mr. Sakakida said that the launching of the centre was done at the most appropriate time, as both India and Japan were bonding to forge a relationship which encompasses politics, economics, and culture.
This was the second Japan Information Study Centre after the one in Ahmedabad sponsored by Mitsubishi Corporation- Japan as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative.
Second centre
“Though, this is our second centre, it is the first one to be set up in a university and we have selected Andhra University for its strategic location in AP and for the university’s glorious past,” said Mr. Sakakida.
According to him both India and AP are looking towards east, and Japan is a favoured destination.
“Our Prime Minister Shinzô Abe was here last week and three major deals concerning the facilitating the country’s first bullet train, civilian nuclear technology and defence deals were inked. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had visited Japan and have developed a good relationship. And the visits have paved the way for Japanese investment in India,” he said.
Many Japanese firms were keen on investing in the sunrise capital of AP at Amaravati. “I was part of the delegation and we are developing plans for long-term investment. Since communication will have a major role to play, a Japanese language and cultural centre will help the Indian students to be part of the projects,” he said.
“Many in India still know Japan as the land of Kimonos and Samurais and the centres was established not only to teach the language but also disseminate information about Japan.”
“We have a very strong history and culture and there are a lot of similarities between India and Japan. It is from India that Buddhism had gone to Japan. The centres will help us to bond better,” he said.
Talking of investment in AP, Mr. Sakakida said that Mitsubishi Corporation India Private Limited has a joint venture in a chemical plant in Tuni, a steel processing plant and in Isuzu Motors, both located in Sri City. “We are employing over 1,000 people in these centres,” pointed out Mr. Sakakida.
Many Japanese firms are keen on investing in Amaravati
Masakazu Sakakida
CMD of Mitsubishi
