Greetings to all friends of Japan in India!

I took over my assignment as the Ambassador of Japan to India on 17th October 2012 and feel extremely honoured to be engaged in the bilateral relationship with India, such a significant player in the international community, at this important juncture of the 60th anniversary of Japan-India diplomatic relations.

Japan and India have established a solid and friendly relationship. Being strategic and global partners sharing universal values such as democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights, the two countries are committed to a close dialogue and cooperation.

Both countries have been intensifying their ties through annual reciprocal visits of their Prime Ministers since 2005, besides conducting frequent Ministerial-level visits and dialogues. In the security area, we have built up strong bonds of cooperation through the ‘’2+2’’ Dialogue at Secretary/ Vice Minister level, joint works on anti-piracy measures and bilateral exercises carried out between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.

In the economic field, the number of Japanese companies operating in India has increased rapidly over the past few years, making Japan the fourth largest foreign investor in India. With the Japan-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) coming into force in August 2011, an even closer bilateral economic relationship is expected. As part of our economic cooperation, we are actively participating in important infrastructure projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), with a view to supporting India's economic development.

In addition, this year, we are organizing more than 160 cultural and intellectual exchange events, which include introduction of Japanese technology, under the theme of “Resurgent Japan, Vibrant India: New Perspectives, New Exchanges”. With these events, I hope that exchanges in culture and arts as well as other kinds of people-to-people exchanges will be more intensive so that mutual understanding will be further deepened.

Taking this opportunity, I would also like to express once again the heartfelt gratitude of the Japanese people for the kind and warm support offered by India in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011. The Japanese people will always remember these gestures of true friendship demonstrated by the Government and the people of India

I am determined to make utmost efforts to further promote and expand the Japan-India relations. I would like to sincerely seek the continued support of the people, organizations and Government of India.

Takeshi Yagi
Ambassador of Japan to India