Shillong: The Sixth India–Japan Intellectual Conclave, themed “Kizuna” (a lasting bond), was held in Meghalaya’s Shillong on Wednesday, bringing together diplomats, policymakers and thought leaders to strengthen bilateral engagement.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma attended the event as the chief guest.
The inaugural session was also attended by Ono Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India; N.J. Gangte, Secretary and OSD (Establishment), Ministry of External Affairs & Acting DDG, ICWA; Takuro Takeuchi, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) India; and other dignitaries.
In his inaugural address, Sangma said India–Japan ties are anchored in mutual respect, democratic values and a shared commitment to economic cooperation and sustainable development. “Given the strength of the relationship between Japan and India, ‘Kizuna’ is the most appropriate theme for the conclave,” he remarked.
Highlighting Japan’s longstanding partnership with Meghalaya, the Chief Minister described Japan as a steadfast development partner whose collaboration extends beyond infrastructure to people-centric initiatives. He noted that 47 nurses from the state are currently placed in Japan.
Following his visit to Japan in April 2025, the state signed an MoU with ASEAN One Co. to train and place 500 youths this year, with plans to scale the number to 5,000 over the next five years.
Meghalaya has also partnered with NAVIS HR to facilitate skilled placements in Japan and established a Japanese language training centre in Shillong to equip youths with language proficiency.
In the field of agricultural innovation, CM Sangma said India’s first commercial production of shiitake blocks is underway in Upper Shillong, supported by Japan’s YATS Co. “The facility has a capacity to produce 1,50,000 inoculated shiitake blocks per annum and is expected to benefit over 1000 farmers of Meghalaya,” he said and added the state is also exploring the production of the state’s own sake using local rice in partnership with Sasaki Sake Brewery of Japan.
Referring to the state’s long association with JICA, the chief minister said the agency has been a key partner in infrastructure, sustainable forestry and tourism projects. Under the JICA-supported MegLIFE project, 22,500 hectares of forest land are being restored while promoting livelihood generation across 500 villages in 11 districts.
He also noted that the Umiam Hydro Power Station and the Umiam-Umtru Stage-III Hydroelectric Power Station are being renovated with JICA support. Additionally, the nearly 19-km-long bridge connecting Dhubri in Assam to Phulwari in Meghalaya is being primarily funded by JICA.
Emphasising Meghalaya’s demographic advantage, Sangma said that 74 percent of the state’s population is under the age of 35 and proposed the creation of a Meghalaya–Japan Skill Corridor. “The youthful energy of Meghalaya can be paired with Japan’s technological mastery,” he said.
On cultural collaboration, the Chief Minister highlighted the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, which has featured an exclusive Japanese pavilion for the past two years, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Japanese traditions, cuisine, culture and live performances by Japanese artistes.
Calling for deeper engagement, Sangma invited Japanese businesses and academic institutions to partner with Meghalaya in areas such as circular economy, climate resilience, technology, agriculture and sustainable tourism. He said such cooperation could serve as a model for inclusive development across the Indo-Pacific region.
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Concluding his address, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Japan, the Ministry of External Affairs and Asian Confluence for organising the conclave in Shillong. “Your efforts have created not only a forum for dialogue, but a living bridge that signals a strong commitment to deepening engagement with our state and the wider Northeast,” he said.
