Varanasi: Yamanashi Prefecture Governor Kotaro Nagasaki stated that relations between Uttar Pradesh, Yamanashi Prefecture and Japan will be strengthened further over the long term.
Kotaro Nagasaki said, "We wish to advance cooperation in several important sectors together with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. One of these important initiatives is to promote the development of Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture through a green hydrogen system. Along with this, our desire is also to contribute to the establishment of world peace through energy security."
The Governor of Yamanashi was interacting with the media on Sunday after offering prayers at Baba Vishwanath along with the Japanese delegation. He noted, "By coming here, one can clearly feel the devotion and respect that all of you have towards God. I too have prayed here for world peace."
Under the leadership of Kotaro Nagasaki, around 15 prominent members of the Japanese delegation visited Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, offered prayers to Baba Vishwanath and sought his blessings. Temple Trust SDM Shambhu Sharan informed that the Japanese guests were welcomed with Rudraksha garlands and Angavastras upon their arrival at the temple. Devotees welcomed the Japanese guests with chants of "Har Har Mahadev" on seeing them at the temple. Members of the Japanese delegation also joined the devotees in chanting "Har Har Mahadev." During this time, a beautiful glimpse of the warmth in India-Japan cultural relations was witnessed in the temple premises.
The members of the Japanese delegation, who arrived to seek the blessings of Baba Vishwanath during the holy month of Sawan, appeared deeply impressed upon seeing the huge gathering of Kanwariyas and devotees in Kashi. They highly appreciated the arrangements made by the Yogi Government for the convenience and safety of devotees, particularly crowd management.
The Japanese guests also witnessed the spiritual aura of the grand and divine Baba Vishwanath Dham. The delegation closely observed the harmony between spiritual heritage and modern development in Kashi and praised the arrangements made for devotees.
The Japanese delegation visited Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha delivered his teachings, on Saturday. Later in the evening, the Japanese guests participated in the Ganga Aarti at Namo Ghat and experienced the spiritual and cultural heritage of Kashi.
After offering prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Sunday, the Japanese delegation departed from Varanasi. It is noteworthy that the Japanese delegation, comprising more than 200 members, has come to India under the UP-Japan Investment Meet-2026. Several Memorandums of Understanding related to investment and bilateral cooperation were also signed between the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Japanese delegation in Lucknow.
The visit of the Japanese delegation reflects that Kashi, the city of Baba Vishwanath, and Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha delivered his teachings, are now emerging as a medium for taking India-Japan spiritual, cultural and tourism relations to new heights.
