Japan’s Tottori Prefecture Eyes Long-Term Partnership with Odisha Across Key Sectors

30 Jul 2026, 09:49 by Vinay Kakkad · KalingaTV

Odisha and Japan’s Tottori Prefecture are set to deepen their partnership across a wide spectrum of sectors, with both sides initiating discussions on a proposed Friendship Agreement aimed at expanding cooperation in industry, skills, tourism, education and cultural exchange.

The roadmap emerged during a high-level meeting in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday between Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg and a 13-member delegation from Tottori Prefecture led by its Chief Secretary, Toshiaki Endo. The discussions focused on building long-term institutional collaboration in investment, industrial development, human resource exchange, technology, tourism, education and culture.

Among the key proposals was the signing of a Friendship Agreement between the Government of Odisha and Tottori Prefecture. The proposed pact seeks to facilitate cooperation among small and medium enterprises, promote exchanges of skilled professionals, generate employment opportunities, encourage student exchange and academic partnerships, and strengthen tourism links between the two regions.

The Japanese delegation informed the Odisha government that the Governor of Tottori Prefecture is expected to visit the state in November, a move seen as another step towards advancing bilateral engagement.

Welcoming the initiative, Tottori Prefecture Chief Secretary Toshiaki Endo said the proposed collaboration would reinforce the long-standing friendship between India and Japan while creating fresh avenues for joint development between Odisha and Tottori. He also conveyed the prefecture’s interest in forging sustained cooperation with Odisha in the resource sector.

Presenting Odisha’s strengths during the meeting, Chief Secretary Anu Garg highlighted the state’s centuries-old maritime trade legacy and rich Buddhist heritage, noting that Odisha and Japan have shared historical and cultural links for generations. She encouraged Japanese companies to explore investment opportunities across green energy, advanced technology, research, skill development, the Skill in Odisha programme, development of the state’s extensive coastline, deeper utilisation of fisheries resources to strengthen the blue economy, and expansion of small, medium and large-scale industries.

Additional Chief Secretary for Industries, Housing and Information & Public Relations Hemant Sharma said Odisha and Tottori share a common vision centred on sustainable development, innovation and inclusive growth. He said closer engagement between the two governments could support long-term economic progress in both regions.

Sharma also showcased Odisha’s industrial growth, mineral wealth, port-led economy, renewable energy potential, skilled workforce, investor-friendly policies and ease of doing business. He said combining Japan’s technological expertise, engineering capabilities and innovation ecosystem with Odisha’s natural resources and industrial base could open new possibilities in global manufacturing and sustainable industrial development.

Tourism and cultural cooperation also figured prominently during the discussions. Drawing on the shared Buddhist heritage between India and Japan, both sides explored ways to encourage greater tourist movement, exchange best practices and organise reciprocal official delegations.

The two sides further discussed promoting Odisha’s cultural traditions in Japan and showcasing Japanese local culture in Odisha through cultural festivals, exhibitions, language education initiatives and collaboration between non-governmental organisations.

To ensure the partnership progresses beyond dialogue, Odisha and Tottori agreed to establish regular government-level exchanges, coordination mechanisms and joint action plans. Officials also decided to identify priority sectors and prepare a practical roadmap for implementing mutually agreed areas of cooperation.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from Odisha’s Tourism, Culture, Skill Development and Technical Education, Sports and MSME departments, along with the Managing Director of IPICOL. The Japanese delegation included the Director General of the Tourism and Exchange Bureau, the Directors of the Commerce and Logistics Department, Welfare Department, Employment Policy Department and Employment Support Services, the Director of YCP International B.V. Company, and the company’s International Relations Coordinator.

Representatives from Tottori Prefecture, including Prakash Ali, are on a three-day visit to Odisha. As part of the itinerary, the delegation will visit major tourist destinations and institutions such as the World Skill Development Center in Bhubaneswar while holding discussions with various government departments to explore future areas of collaboration.