UP-Japan Cooperation To Be Translated Into Concrete Projects

Lucknow: At the UP-Japan Investment Meet 2026 held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Yamanashi Prefecture Governor Kotaro Nagasaki said that cooperation between Uttar Pradesh and Japan should no longer remain limited to dialogue, meetings and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), but must now be transformed into concrete projects and tangible business opportunities. He said the objective of the partnership is to create long-term benefits for both sides by combining India's growth journey with the technology and human resources of Japan and Yamanashi.

The Governor expressed gratitude to the Government of India, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Japanese Embassy and the business communities of both countries. He stated that interactions held in Delhi, Noida and Lucknow had helped identify specific areas of cooperation. He urged Japanese companies to understand India's development trajectory, Uttar Pradesh's policies, priorities and industrial requirements, and to seek long-term partnerships with Indian companies and universities. He described the participation of more than 200 Japanese business leaders as evidence of the seriousness and commitment of Japanese industry towards the partnership.

Nagasaki identified human resources, particularly nursing, nursing care and related sectors, as key areas of cooperation. He said demand in these sectors is growing in Yamanashi, and Uttar Pradesh's large and capable workforce can provide an important solution. However, the objective is not merely to supply manpower, but to develop human resources capable of contributing to industries in Japan, Yamanashi, India and Uttar Pradesh over the next 20-30 years. For this, both sides must share responsibility for human resource development.

The Governor also described tourism as an important area of UP-Yamanashi cooperation. Highlighting green hydrogen as a major pillar of future collaboration, he remarked that Yamanashi possesses practical experience in developing a complete regional hydrogen ecosystem covering hydrogen production, storage and industrial utilisation through renewable energy. Through the Yamanashi Hydrogen Company, the prefecture and private companies are jointly advancing this ecosystem.

He stated that in the hydrogen sector, it is essential to integrate the entire system, including production, storage and utilisation, rather than focusing on any single technology. Considering Uttar Pradesh's renewable energy potential, industrial demand and policy environment, a large-scale green hydrogen project based on Yamanashi's experience can be developed in the state.

Nagasaki said green hydrogen cooperation should not remain confined to pilot projects but should evolve into scalable business models. For this, collaboration can be undertaken with institutions and universities in Uttar Pradesh in areas such as training, research, operations and maintenance. Indian and Japanese companies can jointly develop commercially viable technological solutions.

Inviting the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Indian companies and other stakeholders to the proposed International Hydrogen Summit in October, he said the event would provide an opportunity to advance cooperation further.

The Governor stated, “The next phase of the UP-Yamanashi partnership should be: First understand, then find partners, and finally work together to develop concrete projects.” He noted that continuous visits and interactions have strengthened relations between the two sides. The time has now come to convert this relationship into real projects, investments and business outcomes.

He expressed confidence that this initiative linking Delhi, Lucknow and Yamanashi would become a strong foundation for a long-term partnership between the two sides.