He warmly recalled the close relationship between the two countries as personally experienced by him when he visited India last year at the gracious invitation of Indian government (before he became the Foreign Minister of Japan).He particularly highlighted that he was struck by the remarkable relationship of friendship and respect that existed between India and Japan. He cited India as one of the most important partners for promoting Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy. He added that 2017 had witnessed many positive developments in the bilateral relationship.The Minister pointed out that there were about 1400 Japanese companies with over 4800 Japanese establishments in India, with the number rising every year. He referred to2017 as a great year for bilateral relations, particularly as the Japan India Year of Friendly Exchanges in which about 200 cultural events were held in India and Japan. Senior LDP MP Hiroyuki Hosoda also addressed the gathering in his capacity as the Chairman of the India-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League.Well-known Hindi scholar Tomio Mizokami, Professor Emeritus of the Osaka University of Foreign Studies, who was conferred the Padma Shri for Literature and Education on Republic Day, also attended the Republic Day celebrations.

Source: Economic Times January 27, 2018 14:48 UTC