The Indian Connection" Mr

Issue 1 (January 2021) EMBASSY OF INDIA, TOKYO

Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter Message from the Ambassador H. E. "The Indian Connection" Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma

India On the Move I am pleased to bring forth this edi- World's largest Hybrid Renewable Energy Park tion of the newslet- foundation laid in Kutch , Gujarat (India) ter of the Indian World's largest Hybrid Renewable Energy Park in Kutch foundation stone laid in Embassy ‘The In- Kutch, Gujarat (India). The energy park will be spread over 70,000 hectares at an dian Connection’ . investment of about 1.5 lakh crore rupees (~20 billion USD) and its unique features This edition brings are: you stories of grow-  will have the capacity to generate about 30,000 MW of electricity from both ing India as well as the solar as well as wind energy. initiatives of the In-  will help prevent emission of 5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year dian Government which is equivalent to planting about 9 crore trees. Thus, will make a huge and resulting suc- contribution in reducing per capita carbon dioxide emission in India. cess stories besides  will provide new employment opportunities to about one lakh people. stories of India- Japan. Padma Vibhushan conferred on HE Mr Shinzo Abe, Ex-PM of Japan by India

On 25th January 2020, Government of India announced conferment of "Padma Vib- hushan" civilian award on His Excellency Mr Shinzo Abe, ex-Prime Minister of Japan in the field of Public Affairs as recognition of his exceptional and distinguished con- I do want to think in terms of the tribution to India-Japan Special Strategic & Global Partnership. whole world. My patriotism includes the good of mankind in general. Therefore, my service to India includes the service of humanity.

MAHATAMA GANDHI

Inside this issue:

India on the Move 1

The India & Japan 6

India In Japan 11

Total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow to India of US$ 58.37 billion received during April-November, 2020. Also, FDI equity inflow received during April-November, 2020 is US$ 43.85 billion. Re- Cultural 15 sult of measures taken by the Government on the fronts of FDI policy reforms, investment facilitation and ease of doing business. Issue 1 (January Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Page 2

Cabinet approves Procurement of 83 Light Combat Aircrafts (LCA) ‘Tejas’ from HAL for IAF Light Combat Aircraft "Tejas" Mk-1A variant is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern 4+ generation fighter aircraft. This aircraft is equipped with critical operational capabilities of Active Electroni- cally Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite and Air to Air Re- fuelling (AAR) . It is the first “Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)” category procurement of combat aircrafts with an indigenous content of 50% which will progressively reach 60% by the end of the programme.

India joins select nations in the world with the flag off of Double Stack Container Train

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the Double Stack Long Haul Con- tainer Train on 306 km long Rewari - Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) on 7th January 2021 through video conference. With this it becomes world’s first Double Stack Long Haul 1.5 Km long Container Train hauled by electric traction.

Double Stack Long Haul Container Train Operation will have an enhanced axle load of 25 tons. It has been designed for DFCCIL by RDSO’s wagon department. The design will maximize capacity utilization and uniform distributed and point loading. These wagons on a long-haul double stack container train on the WDFC can carry 4 times in terms of container units compared to the current traffic on Indian Railways. DFCCIL will run freight trains at the maximum speed of 100 km/per hour as against the current maximum speed of 75 kmph on Indian Railway tracks whereas the average speed of freight trains will also be increased from existing speed of 26 kmph on Indian Railways lines to 70 kmph on DFC.

India signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with International Energy Agency (IEA)

The Framework for Strategic Partnership between the Interna- tional Energy Agency (IEA) members and the Government of India was signed on 27th January, 2021 to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation & enhance global energy security, stability and sus- tainability. This partnership will lead to an extensive exchange of knowledge and would be a stepping stone towards India becoming a full member of the IEA.

[ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1692674 ]

INDIA at UN Do you know?

With a commitment to promote responsible & inclusive India is home to >360 Geo- solutions to international peace & security, a New Orienta- graphical Indication (GI) prod- tion for a Reformed Multilateral System (NORMS) & a world ucts. view anchored in our ethos ‘the world is one family’ India begins its 8th 2-year tenure at the United Nations Security To know more about unique & Council from 1st January 2021. salient features, historical ori- gins of India's GIs read bro- https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/ chure at IBEF official website status/1345024898930860032?s=20 & https:// (https://www.ibef.org/ ) link www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/32735/ https://www.ibef.org/ Launch_of_brochure_outlining_Indias_priorities_as_part_of u p l o a d s / G I - B r o c h u r e - _campaign_for_UNSC_elected_seat Low_Res_2020.pdf Issue 1 (January 2021) Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Page 3

Science Updates of the month  Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gave approval to Restricted Emergency COVID-19 virus vaccine of M/s Serum Institute of India and M/s Bharat Biotech [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1685761]

 India’s global position rises both in innovations & publications [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx? PRID=1691125]

 DBT-BIRAC supported indigenously developed DNA Vaccine Candidate by Zydus Cadila, approved for Phase III clinical trials [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1685838]

 Swasth Vayu Non-invasive Ventilator developed by CSIR-NAL receives regulator nod;technology commercialized with 6 private companies [ https://pib.gov.in/ PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1686357]

 Technology Transfer Agreements to bring country’s first indigenous device for correcting ballooning of brain ar- teries & device for healing of heart hole [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1689298]

 Hyderabad-based Rocket launch startup Skyroot successfully test fires India’s first privately-made solid rocket stage. [https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/29/skyroot-successfully-test-fires-indias-first-privately-made-solid- rocket-stage/ ]

 India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to establisha Quantum Computing Applications Lab, Powered by AWS [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1690085 ]

 Successful Flight Test of Smart Anti Airfield Weapon [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1691176]

 40th Indian scientific expedition to Antarctica launched [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx? PRID=1685978 ]

 India’s First Indigenously Developed 9mm Machine Pistol * https://pib.gov.in/ PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1688547 ]

 India’s First Indigenously Designed & Developed Driverless Metro Car unveiled * https://pib.gov.in/ PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1688830]

 Successful Maiden Test Launch of Akash-NG Missile [https://pib.gov.in/ PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1691176]

 Khadi Prakritik paint - India’s first cow dung paint with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties - developed by KVIC. Paint is cost-effective and odorless, and has been certified by Bureau of Indian Standards [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1687954]

 India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, the first of its kind globally, completes two decades* https:// pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1693143 ]

 NITI Aayog Releases Second Edition of India Innovation Index. The report examines the innovation capabilities and performance of the states and union territories.The first edition of the index was launched in October 2019. [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1690487 ]

 PM Dedicates National Atomic Timescale (Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya) to the Nation [ https://pib.gov.in/ PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1685947 ]

Issue 1 (January Page 4 Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Vaccine Maitri (Vaccine Friendship) COVID-19 pandemic is a grave threat and challenge for the entire humanity. India sees international cooperation in the fight against the COVID -19 pandemic as its mission and goal. The pandemic has highlighted India’s position as a reliable stakeholder in global health-care supply chains, with its major strengths in manufacturing, R&D and innovation. Not only as a key and global player in providing medicines, PPE units, medical equipment to over 150 countries during the ongoing pandemic, on their request, India has also been the country to have vaccinate the first 3 million people the fastest, within the first fifteen days, in the largest vaccination program in the world.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC VACCINATION India has played the role of the first responder in our neighborhood and has undertaken supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to countries beyond.

20 January 2021 onwards, India has gifted over 5.5 million doses of vaccines to neighboring countries and extended neighborhood – Bhutan (150,000), Maldives (100,000), Nepal (1 million), Bangladesh (2 million), Myanmar (1.5 million), Mauritius (100,000), Seychelles (50,000), Sri Lanka (500,000) and Bahrain (100,000), based on requests from these countries. Over the next few days, India plans to gift further quantities to Oman (100,000), CARICOM countries (500,000), Nicaragua (200,000) and Pacific Island Countries (200,000). Commercial exports, so far, have taken place to Brazil, Morocco and Bangladesh. Further supplies on a commercial basis are likely to take place to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Canada, Mongolia, etc. Further, a supply 10 million doses to Africa and 1 million to UN health workers under GAVI’s COVAX facility is also under process.

About 30 groups across academia and industry are actively involved in development, collaboration, co-development and trials for COVID-19 vaccines in India. Six vaccine candidates, inclusive of three indigenously developed ones are at clinical trial stages. Three vaccine candidates are in advanced pre-clinical stage.

On 2nd January 2021, two vaccines received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA): AstraZeneca-Oxford-Serum Institutes’ “Covishield” and lo- cally developed Biotech Pharma’s Covaxin.

Government institutions and regulatory authorities have worked closely during the pandemic with the private sector to strengthen the ecosystem to support candidate vaccine development and create enabling regulatory framework. The entire COVID-19 vaccine supply logistics has been digitized through an Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN). The COVID vaccine roll-out is being monitored through a digital COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) that is being used for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. A network of 27,000 functional cold chain points includes cold chain equipment, health workers, and cold chain staff. A system of grassroots health workers going door-to-door to administer vaccines using insulated delivery kits is also in place.

WORLD’S LARGEST PRODUCER OF VACCINES India is one of the world’s largest vaccine producers with 60% of global vaccine production capacity. Indian producers supply 1.5 billion doses annually to more than 150 countries. India is the largest supplier of the DPT, BCG and Measles vaccines globally. WHO sources 70% of its essential immunization vaccines from India. India is a recognized global leader in vaccine R&D, with a well developed ecosystem linking the public and private sectors as well as academia and industry spurring innovation. The Indian vaccine industry, through scale and economies, has impacted not just availability of vaccines in global vaccine market but has brought down prices. India also has the largest immunization systems in the world. Indian Universal Immunizations program includes low-cost ingeniously developed vaccines.

Indian public sector companies entered into vaccine manufacturing and R&D in the 1960s and over a period of time, vigorous and innovative efforts transformed the eco-system, turning it into a billion dollar industry. India biopharma companies established themselves as leading manufacturers of standard vaccines and went to produce new and more complex vaccines, for e.g dengue, malaria, H1N1, Haemophilus influ- enza type b, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, rota-virus, Japanese encephalitis etc. India was among the first countries in the developing world to establish a National Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (2001) that involves all stakeholders in advising the government.

Strengthening vaccine R&D through active engagement with global leaders has been a focus area of Indian vaccine R&D ecosystem. The Indo- US Vaccine Action Program has been recognized internationally as a model bilateral program. Various bilateral programs with countries like Norway, France, Australia and Finland are also effective.

Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech, Panacea Biotech, Sanofis Shanta Biotech, Biological E, Hester Bio-sciences and ZydusCadila are among major Indian vaccine manufacturers. They have an installed capacity to make 8.2 billion doses of different vaccines in a year. The Pune-based Serum Institute is the world’s largest vaccine maker by number of doses produced and sold globally.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION India’s vaccine capacity and its ability to deliver safe and low-cost vaccines rapidly has been leveraged by global health bodies and non- government organizations. Under GAVI, the vaccine initiative, WHO and the Gates Foundation source their vaccine requirements in bulk from India. India has the largest number of manufacturers who have been pre-qualified by WHO for international procurement for low and middle income countries. India also works with another major global vaccine initiative, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. At the Global Vaccine Summit, in June 2020, India contributed US$ 15 million to GAVI. With regard to COVID-19 pandemic, Partnerships for Advanc- ing Clinical Trials (PACT) is strengthening capacities for facilitating phase III clinical trials of Indian COVID vaccines to friendly countries in need.

Given its strengths in the bio-pharmaceuticals and vaccine domains, India is one of the major centers in the global efforts to counter the pandemic. India will make its vaccine strengths available to the international community. While launching India’s domestic vaccination drive on January 18, Prime Minister Modi said that “We are committed that India's vaccines, our production capacity, serve the interest of the whole humanity.” Issue 1 (January Page 5 Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection"

Prime Minister of India message at Climate Adaptation Summit 2021 25 January 2021 India welcomes the Climate Adaptation Summit. Climate Adaptation is more significant today than ever before. And, it is a key element of India’s developmental efforts. We have promised ourselves that:  We will not just meet our Paris Agreement targets, but exceed them;  We will not just arrest environmental degradation but reverse it; and,  We will not just create new capacities but make them an agent for global good. Our actions show our commitment. We are targeting 450 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity by 2030. We are promoting LED lights and saving 38 million tons of carbon-di-oxide emissions annually. We are going to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. We are providing clean cooking fuel to 80 million rural households. We are connecting 64 million households to piped water supply. And, our initiatives have not been restricted to India alone. The International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure show the power of global climate partnership. I call upon the Global Commission on Adaptation to work with CDRI to enhance infrastructure resilience globally. And, I invite all of you to the Third International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure later this year in India. India’s civilizational values teach us that importance of living in harmony with nature. Our ancient scripture Yajurveda teaches us that our relationship with planet earth is that of a mother and her child. If we take care of mother earth, she will continue to nurture us. To adapt to Climate Change, our lifestyles must also adapt to this ideal. This sentiment should guide our way forward. [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1692331 ]

Ministry of Railways, Govt of Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Transforming India by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India India launched dedicated Freight Business Develop- ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self- ment Portal (http:// reliant India) is a dream. fois.indianrail.gov.in/ Full article : https:// RailSAHAY/) as one stop so- www.manoramayearbook.in/ lution for all the needs of india/special - freight customers, a step articles/2021/01/12/pm-modi towards Ease of Doing Busi- - w r i t e s - a r t i c l e - on- ness (EODB) & Self Reliant aatmanirbhar-bharat.html India.

English rendering of President's Valedictory Session at 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention [https://pib.gov.in/ PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1687321]

English rendering of PM’s inaugural address at 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention *https://pib.gov.in/ PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1687278 ] Issue 1 (January Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Page 6

The India & Japan Stories

PM dedicates Rewari - Madar section of Western Dedicated Freight Corridor to the Nation

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the 306 km long Rewari - Madar section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC ; https://dfccil.com/) on 7th January 2021 through video conference.

Elaborating upon the benefit of the Dedicated Freight Corridor, the Prime Minister said, it will cover 133 railway stations in 9 states. At these stations, there will be multi model logistic parks, freight terminal, container depot, container terminal, parcel hub. All these will benefit the farmers, small industries cottage industries and larger manufacturers as well.

The Prime Minister also thanked the people of Japan for their technical and financial support in the project. In PM's words "Japan and its people have always been India's partners as a trusted friend in India's development journey. Ja- pan has also provided economic cooperation as well as full technology support in the construction of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. I acknowledge and thank Japan and its people. "

English rendering of PM's address at the dedication of Rewari - Madar section of Western Dedicated Freight Corridor to the Nation [ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1686765 ]

Signing of the India-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation on Specified Skilled Workers Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary and H.E. Mr. Suzuki Sato- shi, Ambassador of Japan to India, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Government of India and Government of Japan on a Basic Framework for Partnership for Proper Operation of the System Per- taining to "Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)” on 18 January 2021 in New Delhi.

The MoC will help to promote the movement of skilled workers from India to Japan. The MoC covers 14 categories of specified skills under which skilled workers from India who meet the skills requirement and Japanese language tests would be eligible for employment in Japan on a contractual basis. The 14 specified industry fields include nursing care, building cleaning, material processing, industrial machinery manufacturing, electric and electronic information, construction, shipbuilding and ship-related industry, automobile maintenance, aviation, lodging, agriculture, fisheries, food and beverages manufacturing and food services industry. Japan would grant these workers the status of "specified skilled worker”. It is also expected that Indian skilled workers who go to Japan under this MoC will acquire new skills while working in Japan. A Joint Working Group (JWG), comprising officials from both countries, will be constituted in the near future to work out operational details and smooth implementation of this programme.

India and Japan have, in the last few years, strengthened their cooperation in the area of skills development. In 2016, both countries signed the "Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme” agreement for the training 30,000 persons over 10 years with Japanese style manufacturing skills and practices through the establishment of the Japan-India Institutes for Manufacturing (JIM) and Japanese Endowed Courses (JEC) in colleges across India. As of date, 13 JIMs and 5 JECs are already operational. In 2017, both countries signed the "Technical Intern Training Programme” agreement to enable Indian youth to avail of internships in Japan across diverse industry sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, construction, textiles and agriculture. The MoC on Specified Skilled Workers marks a further step to augment India-Japan collaboration in the area of skill development.

[ https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33394/Signing_of_the_IndiaJapan_Memorandum_of_Cooperation_on_Specified_Skilled_Workers ] Issue 1 (January Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Page 7

Textiles Committee, Ministry of Textiles signs MoU with M/s Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan to boost export of Textile and Apparel to Japanese market A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was held between Textiles Committee, Ministry of Textiles, Govern- ment of India and M/s. Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre Ja- pan, through video conferencing on 24th January 2021. The signing ceremony was Presided over by Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani on the Indian side and by His Excellency Mr. Ya- sumasa Nagasaka, Hon’ble State Minister of Economy, Trade and In- dustry, Govt. of Japan from the Japanese side.

Main objective of the MoU is to provide required support to textile’s trade and industry for ensuring quality as per the requirement of Japa- nese buyers through Testing, Inspection & Conformity Assessment, Training & Capacity Building, Research & Develop- ment (R&D) and Consultancy. It is expected that MoU will strengthen the bilateral trade by enhancing India’s export of Textile and Apparels (T&A) to Japan, which is the 3rd largest export destination of the world.

This MoU will formalize mutual interaction and strengthen the relationship in accordance with their respective areas of specialisation. Both the institutions have agreed to share and exchange relevant technical information and docu- mentation on a regular basis and carry out activities relating to standards, quality assurance norms, joint research projects on testing, development of user friendly tools for dissemination of data to the industry and facilitate sourcing across the Textiles Value Chain (TVC) from both the countries.

Speaking on the occasion, the Japanese State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, ShYasumasa Nagasaka highlighted that India is a huge market for Japanese industry and expressed confidence that going forward, there will be substantial development in the India- Japan trade relationship.

India and Japan have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2011 which inter-alia facili- tates import of garments from India to Japan at zero duty. Despite CEPA, the growth in trade in Textiles and Apparel (T&A) between the two countries has been moderate. Japan is third largest importer of T&A in the world and India is 6th largest exporter and there is huge untapped potential for trade which remains unharnessed. It is in this backdrop, a high level delegation from Ministry of Textiles was mounted in February, 2019 with a view to enhance exports and cooperation in textile sector and to identify areas for optimizing the benefit of CEPA. As an outcome of these develop- ments, the Textiles Committee entered into negotiation with M/s.Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan for providing valuable services to the textile trade and industry of both the countries through collaborative efforts between the two organisations

About Textiles Committee : The Textiles Committee was established in the year 1963 by an Act of Parliament and is a statutory body under the Ministry of Textiles with a mandate, inter alia, to ensure quality of all textiles and textile products for domestic and export markets. The Textiles Committee is the only body providing for all the quality related needs of the entire Textiles Value Chain (TVC) in an integrated format on a pan-India basis through its network of 28 offices across the country including 19 state of art laboratories accredited under relevant national and Interna- tional standards.

About Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan : M/s Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre is one of the leading Testing and Inspection organizations in Japan established in 1948 and providing world-class facilities and rendering valuable services to the textiles trade and industry in Japan and 7 other countries including China, Indonesia, Myan- mar, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia and India.

[ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1692730 ] Issue 1 (January Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Page 8

India and Japan Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation in the Field of ICT India and Japan signed MoU to enhance cooperation in the field of Information and Communications Technologies today. MoU was signed by Union Minister for Commu- nications, Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad and the Japanese Minister for Inter- nal Affairs and Communications Takeda Ryota and it was exchanged through a video conference on 15 January 2021.

Department of Telecom, Government of India and Ministry of Communications, Government of Japan will enhance mutual cooperation in the field of 5G technologies, telecom security, submarine optical fiber cable system to islands of India, spectrum management, smart cities, high altitude platform for broadband in unconnected areas, disaster management and public safety etc. It has been agreed that apart from Ministry level cooperation, Government of India organization such as C-DOT and ITI Limited along with industry partners from Japan will also part of this cooperation. Speaking on this occasion the Union Minister for Communication, Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad highlighted the timely execution of connecting Andaman & Nicobar Islands with submarine optical fiber cable as a great example of cooperation between India and Japan. He further shared the rapid adoption of innovative digital technologies by India during COVID19 pandemic such as AarogyaSetu app, use of Aadhaar Enabled Pay- ment System for doorstep disbursement of cash by India Post, digital hearings in Courts of India and rapid growth of digital payments. He further highlighted that during COVID19, due to attractive polices like PLI and SPECS large amount of investments have come to India in the field of electronics manufacturing. He urged the Japanese electronics industry to invest in India and avail the benefits of the new technologies. Minister further highlighted the great potential India holds for Japanese investors in the field of 5G and 5G based services, Internet of Things, digital health technologies etc.

Japanese Minister Mr. Takeda Ryota expressed happiness on signing of MoU between India and Japan and expressed the commitment of Government of Japan towards mutual cooperation and investments in India.

[ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1688812 ]

Japan’s Official Development Assistance for COVID-19 crisis response support loan for social protection The Government of Japan has committed Official Development Assistance loan of an amount of JPY 30 billion (approx. Rs. 2,113 crore) for a programme loan to support India's efforts at providing social assistance to the poor and vulnerable households, severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Notes were exchanged on 8th January 2021 between Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Govt of India and Mr. Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan to India for COVID-19 Crisis Re- sponse Support Loan for Social Protection. Subsequent to the Exchange of Notes, Loan Agreement for this programme loan was signed between Dr. Mohapatra and Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA, New Delhi.

This programme loan aims to support India’s efforts to provide coordinated and adequate social protection to the poor and vulnerable across the country against the severe impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.

India and Japan have had a long and fruitful history of bilateral development cooperation since 1958. In the last few years, the economic cooperation between India and Japan has strengthened and grown into strategic partnership. This further consolidates and strengthens the Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan.

[ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1687099 ] Issue 1 (January Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Page 9

5th Joint Meeting of the India-Japan Act East Forum January 28, 2021  India and Japan held the fifth joint meeting of the India-Japan Act East Forum (AEF) on 28 January 2021 in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary, and H.E. Mr. Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador of Japan to India.  The AEF reviewed progress of ongoing projects in the North Eastern Region of India in various areas including connectivity, hydropower, sustainable development, harnessing of water resources, and skill development. They discussed several new projects being undertaken under India-Japan bilateral cooperation and also exchanged views on cooperation in new areas such as healthcare, agro-industries and SMEs, bamboo value chain development, smart city, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.  Foreign Secretary and the Japanese Ambassador appreciated the role played by the AEF since its establishment in 2017 in streamlining India-Japan bilateral cooperation for the modernization of the North Eastern Region. AEF pro- vides a platform for India-Japan collaboration in the North Eastern Region under India’s "Act East Policy” and Ja- pan’s vision for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.

[https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33422/5th+Joint+Meeting+of+the+IndiaJapan+Act+East+Forum ]

The 6th Joint Committee Meeting under India-Japan CEPA was held on 15th January 2021 through VC. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India and Mr. Hiroshi Suzuki, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Af- fairs, Government of Japan. The agenda of the 6th Joint Committee meeting discussed the pending/ongoing issues on the Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin, Sub-Committee on SPS/TBT, Sub-Committee on Trade in Services, Sub-Committee on Movement of Natural Persons, Sub-Committee on Improvement of Busines Environment and the issue to review the existing agreement of India-Japan CEPA. Ms. Mona Khandar, Minister (Economic & Commerce) and Dr. Satya Pal Kumar, First Secretary (Trade) attended the meeting from the Indian Embassy in Tokyo.

Sumitomo Corp launching Automotive Engineering Business with Tech Mahindra in Japan

To promote the automotive engineering business in Japan, Sumitomo Corporation has established SCTM Engineering Corpo- ration jointly with a global engineering service provider, Tech Mahindra Limited.

Cooperation with external partners is expected to be increasingly important and demand for automotive engineering services will further increase.

SCTM is an engineering company that has both Tech Mahindra’s global-level engineering capability as well as Sumitomo Cor- poration’s extensive customer network and ability to provide fine-tuned responses to customers. The new company aims to provide automotive manufacturers and other customers with advanced development services based on its full support system to expand the business.

Sumitomo Corporation has established SC Automotive Engineering Co., Ltd. (SCAE), in August 2020, and started Automotive Engineering services. As a core partner of SCAE, SCTM will provide rich resources and achieve high cost competitiveness engineering service through offshore development. Sumitomo corporation will capture increasing demand for automotive engineering and contribute to the development of the automotive industry based upon SCTM and SCAE.

Press Release : https://www.sumitomocorp.com/en/jp/news/release/2021/group/14230 Issue 1 (January Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Page 10

Excerpts - Foreign Secretary’s Remarks at India-France-Japan Workshop on the Indo-Pacific New Delhi, January 19, 2021 While an Indian maritime analyst is believed to have used the term as far back as the 1990s, "Indo-Pacific” is a fairly recent addition to the geopolitical lexicon.

2. The Indo-Pacific has become an essential concept in International Relations today, in theory as well as in practice. No foreign policy conversation is complete without a discussion on the Indo-Pacific. Literally, it signifies the seamless interface of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. For India, it is that vast maritime space stretching from the western coast of North America to the eastern shores of Africa. Over 50% of global trade traverses this maritime domain. It is also home to over 60% of the world’s population and the global GDP. And so, the security, stability, peace and prosperity of this vast region is vital for the world.

3. Whatever the navigation map, it is an indisputable fact that the Indo-Pacific is the 21st century’s locus of political and security concerns and competition, of growth and development, and of technology incubation and innovation. India has not just mainstreamed the expression "Indo-Pacific”, but has also encouraged others to perceive and define the region in its full extent. That is why countries such as Germany and Netherlands, physically distant but economic stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific, have released strategies for the region. We understand that the EU is also working on it’s strategy for the Indo-Pacific.

4. To understand India’s Indo-Pacific vision it is important to understand why we define it the way we do, and to the extent we do. There are many reasons for this. The first and most obvious is the Indian peninsula, which thrusts into the Indian Ocean and gives us two magnificent coasts and near limitless maritime horizons to both our east and our west. Monks and merchants, culture and cargo have travelled from India on those waters, to our east, west and south. India’s great religious traditions, such as Buddhism, spread far and wide in the Indo-Pacific. Some of the oldest and most impressive Hindu temples are found in Vietnam, remnants of the Cham king- dom. A thousand years ago India’s greatest coastal empire, the Cholas, sent maritime expeditions and trading ships as far east as Suma- tra, to ancient China, as well as to the Abbasid empire in what is today Iraq. Another empire, the Pallavas, had a flourishing trade relationship with Southeast Asia. Sea-borne trade with Africa and with the Gulf states have been constants of Indian economic life. These experiences are our past and our future and therefore determine our concept of the Indo-Pacific.

5. India’s Indo-Pacific strategy was enunciated by PM Modi in a speech in Singapore in 2018 as the SAGAR doctrine. In Sanskrit, among other Indian languages, the word "sagar” means ocean. PM used it as an acronym for "Security and Growth for All in the Region”. This aspiration depends on securing end-to-end supply chains in the region; no disproportionate dependence on a single country; and ensuring prosperity for all stakeholder nations. An Indo-Pacific guided by norms and governed by rules, with freedom of navigation, open connectivity, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, is an article of faith for India.

6. In 2019, at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok, PM Modi took the idea of SAGAR further and announced the "Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initia- tive”. Using this Initiative, India plans to support the building of a rules-based regional architecture resting on seven pillars. These are: maritime security; maritime ecology; maritime resources; capacity building and resource sharing; disaster risk reduction and management; science, technology and academic cooperation & trade connectivity and maritime transport. I am happy to note that today’s workshop is focussing on two of the pillars namely maritime security and connectivity.

7. India has acted on these principles through both thematic and geographical initiatives. We have sought to strengthen security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific by becoming a net security provider – for instance in peacekeeping efforts or anti-piracy op- erations in the Gulf of Aden. Sharing what we can, in terms of equipment, training and exercises, we have built relationships with partner countries across the region. To cite some examples, we are active in networks such as the Quad, with India, US, Japan, Australia as participants, and the India-Japan-US, India-France-Australia and India-Indonesia-Australia trilateral arrangements offer cases in point.

8. It is therefore natural for India to be engaged in cooperation with the key actors in the region, notably France and Japan. With France, we have a highly developed maritime security partnership. We conduct the joint naval exercise VARUNA and are working to enhance our maritime domain awareness. One mechanism in this respect is the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region where we host a French Liaison Officer. Another is the White Shipping Agreement, signed in 2017, which enables us to monitor vessels across the region and exchange information on maritime traffic.

9. India and France also cooperate in multilateral institutions in the region, such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which France recently joined as a full member. We welcome the French Navy’s proposal to conduct the first IONS HADR Joint Exercise. We even have a trilateral dialogue with Australia that focuses on various aspects in the Indo-Pacific such as the blue economy and protecting marine global commons.

10. Similarly, India and Japan enjoy a relationship that is crucial to the Indo-Pacific architecture. India’s SAGAR vision for the Region and Japan’s concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), both are convergent in principles. Whether it is enhancing maritime security, connectivity for shared economic prosperity, or increasing resilience to meet natural disasters through HADR efforts, India and Japan frequently find themselves working together. In fact Japan has agreed to lead the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative pillar on connectivity.

11. With respect to maritime security, several steps have been taken in recent years including the conclusion of the Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services Agreement. This agreement along with other initiatives such as the bilateral maritime exercise JIMEX will enhance our maritime domain awareness as well as promote interoperability and joint operational skills between our defence forces.

12. With both countries, as with the rest of the world, we are focusing on economic resilience and recovery. Our response to the current global uncertainty is reflected in the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, which is a vision of "a self-reliant India which is also a reliable friend for the world”. It envisages making India an integral part of global supply chains as well as promotion of international trade and commerce. One specific e.g. of cooperation in this area is our working with Japan & Australia on a Supply Chains Resilience Initiative.

13. India, France and Japan are leading stakeholders in the region and with other like-minded countries, it is upon us to ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains peaceful and open, taking into account needs and concerns of all its inhabitants. https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/33397/Foreign_Secretarys_Introductory_Remarks_at_the_IndiaFranceJapan_Workshop_on_the_IndoPacific Issue 1 (January Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Page 11

India in Japan On 28.01.2021, Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma gave congratulatory remarks during online partnership agreement ceremony between AOTS (Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship; www.aots.jp) & Hiroshima Prefecture's Board of Education. The agreement will lead to acceptance of international students including Indian students to Hiroshima Global Academy (www.higa-s.jp , Hiroshima EichiGakuen), an integrated junior and senior high school, opened in April 2019 with aim to nurture innovative and global human resources.

Ambassador in his remarks conveyed his wishes to Hiroshima Prefectural Govt, Hiroshima Board of Education & AOTS for success of this initiative which is going to promote internationalisation of Japanese Education. He also conveyed thanks to AOTS which, through its 09 AOTS alumni societies in India, has contributed immensly in promotion of technical training and Japanese language in India which are important areas of India Japan cooperation.

Event also had remarks by Mr Toshihide Ando, Minister and DCM Embassy of Japan in India; Mr Shinya Kuwayama, President AOTS (Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship; Mr M R Ranganathan, Chairperson, South Asia Federa- tion of AOTS Alumni Socities& Advisor, Federation of AOTS Alumni Association of India-China; Ms. Rei Hirakawa, Super- intendent, Hiroshima Pref. Board of Education; Mr. Kazuhiko Fukushima, Principal, Hiroshima Global Academy and students of Hiroshima Global Academy.

On 18.01.2021, Amb Sanjay Kumar Verma spoke on "India-Japan Digi- tal Partnership: Opportunity for Co-creating & Co-innovating" at India- Japan Partnership Perspectives organised by Ananta Aspen. Amb San- jay Kumar Verma in his talk gave overview of comprehensive India- Japan Digital Partnership (IJDP). Amb also engaged with the audience by detailing various facets of India-Japan Special Strategic & Global Partnership (SSGP). Watch Full talk https://youtu.be/7dDWIJpaU8g

The 8th Japan VC Connect Virtual Pitch Session was held on 13 Janu- ary 2021 by NASSCOM in partnership with the Embassy, JETRO Ja- pan and Deloitte Tohomatsu Japan. The event saw the participation of 60+ Japanese investors & corporates & 7 Indian start-ups from sectors like Enterprise solutions, Health Tech, IOT and Retail Tech viz. FORMCEPT Technologies, Quintype Technologies, Simplify360, Forus Health Private Limited, Fabheads Automation, ParallelDots and Worxogo. . After the event 45+ one-to-one meetings were scheduled between startup companies and Investors.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for 2020-21 Congratulations to Prof (Dr) Muralidhar Miryala of Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan & Prof (Dr) Rajib Shaw of Keio University, Japan for being conferred Government of India's Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for 2020-21 for their contributions to their respective fields in India, Japan & internationally. Issue 1 (January Page 12 Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection"

12th India-Japan Joint Working Group Meeting on Sustainable Urban Development The 12th India-Japan Joint Working Group Meeting on Sustainable Urban Development was held on 13th – 14th January 2021 through VC. The two- day meeting between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govern- ment of India, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Government of Japan and other stakeholders was coordinated by Embassy of India, Tokyo.

During the 1st day of the meeting, opening remarks were delivered by the two Co-chairs, Mr. Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA and Mr. Kuni- hiro Yamada, Vice Minister of Engineering Affairs, MLIT.

Secretary (MoHUA) in his remarks emphasized on the rising urbanization which is likely to be 50% by 2050 and investment opportunities provided by urban initiatives of India such as Smart Cities Mission aiming to promote ease of living in 100 cities, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna to provide about 11 million houses in urban areas by 2022, Swacch Bharat Mission, PM SVAnidhi Scheme which has already benefited more than 1.2 million street vendors with collateral free working capital loan as well as the DAY-NUKM scheme which aim to enroll 10 million women under the fold of SHGs by 2024. He mentioned National Infrastructure Policy framework wherein urban infrastructure is prominently covered.

During the course of the meeting, sectoral presentations were made by the participants. From India side, Ms. D. Thara, Joint Secretary, AMRUT made presentation on water and sanitation projects on-going and conceived in several cities in India. Mr. Jaideep, OSD, Transport, MoHUA made presentation on urban transport initiatives in Indian cities where he presented the policies, road, rail and non-motorized transport projects and challenges in urban transport. Mr. Amrit Abhijat, Joint Secretary Housing For All made presentation on experience and innovation in world’s largest affordable housing program including rental housing viz Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) launched on 25th June, 2015. Mr. Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary, Smart Cities Mission made presentation on IT and data driven transformation in Indian Smart Cities where he shared the progress and strategies adopted by MoHUA for urban transformation.

From Japanese side, Mr. Tomohiko Nakajima, Deputy Director, Environmental Planning Bureau, City of Yokohama made presentation on urban flood/storm water management in Japanese cities. Mr. Tomohiro Yano, Director, Japan Sewage Works Agency presented wastewater reuse and sludge treatment project. Mr. Kenichi Kudo, Director, Urban Transport Fa- cilities Division, City Bureau presented Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and multimodal interchange. Mr. Takahiro Ko- nami, Director, Overseas Projects Division, Policy Bureau discussed quality infrastructure. Mr. Junya Katou, Chief Official, Housing Bureau discussed the approach to upgrade energy efficiency in existing buildings and Mr. Akihiko Ishihara, Director, Housing Bureau presented on urban land use planning system in Japan. The challenges and possible future collaboration were also discussed during the meeting.

On 14th Jan. 2021, the second day of the 12th India-Japan Joint Working Group Meeting on Sustainable Urban Development there were presentations by representatives from M/s Ishigaki Co. Ltd., M/s Kubota Corporation, M/s Nihon Suido Consult- ants Co. Ltd., M/s Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation, M/s Daiwalease Co. Ltd., M/s Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd. and M/s HPC Okinawa Co. Ltd.

Mr. Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA and Dr. Yasuhiro Ishihara, Deputy Minister for International Projects, MLIT concluded the two-day meeting of the Joint Working Group by giving their closing address. Secretary, MoHUA in his closing address spoke on the outcome of the 12th India-Japan Joint Working Group Meeting, the importance of learning the Japa- nese technologies that are suitable for urban development in India that could be adopted, new areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries which could be strengthen and encourage Japanese companies to share best practices and learning, extend technical assistance and collaborate through Private Partnership (PPP) in lighthouse projects under the flag- ship missions of MOHUA. He also proposed setting up of 5 subgroups under the JWG on Urban Development. Issue 1 (January Page 13 Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection" Embassy of India Tokyo celebrated 72nd Republic Day of India On 72nd Republic Day celebration at Embassy of India Tokyo, Japan, HE Ambassador Mr Sanjay Kumar Verma hoisted the National Flag followed by singing of National Anthem and reading of Hon'ble President of India address to the Nation, delivered on the eve of Republic Day. Event was followed by singing of patriotic song by School Students.

In view of the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic and the existing advisory in place to avoid three Cs- closed spaces, crowded places & close contact settings, the Embassy of India, Tokyo commemorated the event as a virtural event and members of the Indian community and friends of India joined the ceremony of 72nd Republic Day of India on 26th January 2020 live on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osOZ589K1JY

Full Address by the Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind On the eve of 72nd Republic Day can be read at link https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1692289

H.E. Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma & Chief Guest H.E. WASHIO Eiichiro, Minister of State, MOFA Japan give remarks at the celebration of 72nd Republic Day in a virtual event organised by Embassy of India Tokyo. Event was marked by India & Japan's national anthems followed by beautiful Bharatnatyam & Odissi classical dances performance by Japanese Friends. Many dignitaries graced event with their congratulatory messages. Event saw huge online participation. Full video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akuTpu3z9Gg

On 19 Jan 2021, Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma’s interacted with LDP's Digital Human Resource Subcommit- tee, chaired by H'ble MP Ms S Kata- yama, and delivered presentation on “India as partner for Japan for Talented HR" highlighting India’s High Skill HR strengths & ways to attract talent . Issue 1 (January Page 14 Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection"

72nd Republic Day of India - 26th January 2021 Message from H.E. Sanjay Kumar Verma

On the occasion of India’s 72nd Republic Day, I extend my warm greetings to Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, to the Government and the people of Japan. I also take this opportunity to convey my greetings to all fellow Indians in Japan who have contributed immensely in strengthening India-Japan bilateral relations guided by our centuries old historical linkages and heritage.

2. Over the last decade, India-Japan relations have evolved in to ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ based on shared values of democracy, non-violence, human rights, rules based global order for global peace, stability, freedom and prosperity. The progress of our strategic cooperation has steadily progressed with recently held PM level talks, Australia-India-Japan-US consultations, India-Japan Strategic Dialogue and institutionalising of 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Signing of Agreement on Reciprocal Provision of Supplies & Services as well as successful conduct of naval exercises viz. Malabar & JIMEX20 adds further momentum. Our ties have been further ce- mented through various strategic mechanisms in important fields such as cyber security, ICT, space, civil nuclear cooperation, energy and science and technologies. The convergence in India’s Indo-Pacific vision and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific has provided fillip to our mutual strategic and economic security.

3. Japan is a key partner in India’s global initiatives such as International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Indo-Pacific Ocean’s initiative (IPOI). India-Japan Investment Promo- tion Partnership; Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway project; establishment of 12 Japan Industrial Town- ships (JITs); Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP); "Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme” including Japan-India Institutes for Manufacturing (JIM) and the Japanese Endowed Courses (JEC); signing of Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) agreement; are some shining examples of further deepening of our close and strategic relations. On the economic front, Japan is the 4th largest investor and also the largest ODA contributor to India.

4. To mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19, Government of India announced a set of bold economic reforms under the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan/Self-Reliant India”, also aimed at achieving the target of a US$ 5 trillion economy by 2024. Emergence of India as a key player in the complex modern multinational supply chains is another focus of this vision. Coping with challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, India as the “pharmacy of the world”, is playing a pivotal role in international and multilateral collaborations with regard to fight against COVID-19 be it medicines, equipment or vaccines in the true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. In January, India has started the roll out of vaccines, including the indigenously developed Covaxin, with a unique “Co-WIN Vaccine Delivery Management System”.

5. In these challenging times of pandemic, it is very important that we stay safe and positive. I wish all the readers good health, success and happiness. I am confident that the India-Japan partnership will grow from strength to strength in 2021. Issue 1 (January Page 15 Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection"

Cultural Ayushman Bharat - TRADITIONAL FOOD On occasion of Republic RECIPES from AYUSH SYSTEMS of MEDI- Day of India, we present CINE, a publication by Ministry of AYUSH, here a beautiful rendi- Govt of India caters to the preventive & tion of India's National promotive health needs through appro- priate dietary practices. Read full https:// Anthem "Jana Gana namayush.gov.in/sites/default/files/doc/ Mana" by our Japanese TraditionalFoodRECIPESfromMoA- friends. YUSH_ayushmanBharat_v3.pdf Listen full at https:// youtu.be/YlocgUwyBG8

दी हदिस २०२१ के अिसर परﴂ वि�ि ह जयﴂजापान मᴂ भारत के राजदतू श्री स कु मार िमाा का सꅍदेश

Message by H.E. Shri Sanjay Kumar Verma, Ambassador of India to Japan on the occasion of Vishwa Hindi Diwas, 2021. Full message https://youtu.be/ e31oX3iBC8o

51st edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI)

51st IFFI was organised from 16 th to 24 th January, 2021 in Goa in a hybrid mode for the first time and comprised of both online and in-person experience. The festival had screening of famous movies with a total of 224 films from across the globe included 21 non- feature films and 26 feature films under the Indian Pano- rama films section. The 51 st edition of IFFI announced awards decided by its International Jury with eminent film- makers from across the world.

The closing film of the 51 st edition of International IFFI was a Japanese movie Wife of Spy directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.

IFFI founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Held annually, currently in the state of Goa, the festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of the film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and cooperation among people of the world. The festival is con- ducted jointly by the Directorate of Film Festivals (under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) and the state Government of Goa.

[ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1691909 & https:// pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1691936] Issue 1 (January Page 16 Embassy of India Tokyo Newsletter "The Indian Connection"

"ParakramDivas" was celebrated at Embassy of India To- "Digital Concert Series for Harmony and Peace" kyo , on 23.01.2021, marking 125th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Event started with singing of On the eve of the 74th Independence Day of India, the Em- bassy of India, Tokyo, announced the "Digital Concert Series National Anthem "जन गण मन" followed by a address by for Harmony and Peace". This is a series of performance Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma. Prog incl talk on videos of Indian music by renowned musicians from Japan Netaji's vision, reading of transcript of Netaji's 1944 and India, which will be released on the Embassy's official speech to INA, screening of documentary film "In Depth- YouTube channel for public to enjoy the best of Indian cul- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose", reading of patriotic poems ture in the comfort and safety of your home. by children. Event was organised with all COVID19 preventive measures. During January 2021 following performances were released:

Part - 23 - A performance by Japan's Shigeru Moriyama on Tabla & Keisuke Muto on Si- tar. https://youtu.be/ _Hgn9WTKYoc

List of Japanese Citizens conferred with Padma Awards by Government of India S.No. Year Name Awarded in the field of Padma Vibhushan 1 2021 Mr. Shinzo Abe Public Affairs 2 2001 Mr. Hosei Norota Public Affairs Padma Bhushan 1 2015 Mr. Saichiro Misumi, Public Affairs 2 2009 Prof. (Dr.) Minoru Hara Literature & Education 3 2007 Mr. Osamu Suzuki Trade and Industry 4 2004 Mr. Yoshiro Mori Public Affairs 5 1992 Mr. Goro Koyama ‘Others’ 6 1989 Mr. Yosho Sakurauchi Public Affairs Padma Shri 1 2019 Dr. Tetsu Nakamura(Posthumous) Social Work 2 2018 Prof. Tomio Mizokami Literature and Education 3 2014 Prof. (Dr.) Sengaku Mayeda Literature and Education 4 2013 Prof. Noboru Karashima Literature and Education 5 2012 Prof. Shoji Shiba Trade and Industry 6 2002 Mr. Taro Nakayama Public Affairs PADMA AWARDS Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the India, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vib- hushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bha- wan usually around March/ April every year where the awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion. The recipients are also given a small replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial/ State functions etc., if the awardees so desire. [ https://padmaawards.gov.in/padma_home.aspx]

Padma Vibhushan Padma Bhushan Padma Shri