Governor attends function honouring Japanese Speaker Nukaga Fukushiro
Highlights India-Japan Strategic Partnership and Assam’s Key Role in Act East Policy
Guwahati,Rongili Barta: Assam Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya today attended a function held in the honour of visiting Japanese Speaker, Mr. Nukaga Fukushiro, at the Assam Legislative Assembly in Guwahati. The event, held in the presence of Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Shri Biswajit Daimary and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, celebrated the strengthening ties between India and Japan, particularly in the context of Assam and the Northeast region.
Speaking at the programme, Governor Shri Acharya emphasized the deep-rooted historical and spiritual bonds between India and Japan, recalling the journey of Indian monk Bodhisena to Japan in 736 AD and his influence in Buddhism in Japan.
The Governor said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the bilateral relationship has grown remarkably in scale and substance. “From strategic collaboration in the Indo-Pacific to extensive cooperation in infrastructure and connectivity projects in India’s Northeast, the Indo-Japanese partnership has gained both in quality and quantum,” said Shri Acharya.
Highlighting the convergence of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Policy (FOIP) and India’s Act East Policy (AEP), the Governor outlined Assam’s emerging role as a key link in connecting South and Southeast Asia. He underlined how this alignment is promoting regional growth and enhancing connectivity across the Northeast.
Shri Acharya also acknowledged Japan’s significant development support through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Major projects such as the Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge, road connectivity from Srirampur to Dalu, and urban water and sanitation initiatives in Guwahati were cited as examples of Japan’s active participation in the region’s transformation.
He further highlighted the Assam Health System Strengthening Project and the upcoming Japanese Industrial Township near Guwahati as key outcomes of this bilateral engagement. The Governor expressed appreciation for Japan’s support in skill development, particularly the initiative to train one lakh Indian youth annually in Japanese language and culture. This includes specialized training in geriatric care to help address Japan’s labor shortage and aging population — a collaboration formalized through agreements during the recent Advantage Assam 2.0 summit.
Governor Shri Acharya called for sustained dialogue and cooperative action to further fortify India-Japan relations, especially in leveraging Assam’s strategic location. “Assam can serve as a vital bridge in strengthening regional partnerships and connecting South Asia with Southeast Asia,” he said. The visit of Mr. Fukushiro Nukaga and his delegation marks another milestone in the dynamic and growing partnership between India and Japan, the Governor added.