Kenko Sone, Minister, Economics Embassy of Japan. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 22
Kenko Sone, Minister, Economics Embassy of Japan said that Japan has been undertaking extensive cooperation in north eastern region, ranging from road network connectivity, energy, water supply and sewage, forest resource management, biodiversity, to people- to- people exchange, Japanese language education and post-war reconciliation.
Japan is cooperating with road connectivity improvement in the region, starting with National Highway 54 in Mizoram and NH- 51 in Meghalaya through ODA loan project.
During the visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to India laws week, he said, Japan and India have signed and exchange the notes to provide ODA loan concerning the North East Road Network Connectivity improvement project (Phase 2). The project covers the improvement of National Highway-40 in Meghalaya and construction of a bypass on NH-54 in Mizoram.
Speaking at the North East Connectivity Summit here, he said Japan Government to encourage cultural cooperation with the north has initiated "IRIS Program" and will invite 25 young people from Manipur and Nagaland this year to Japan.
He also said in North Eastern region, Japan has been extending cooperation on slope protection of mountain roads and forest management, which contribute to flood disaster management.
“In order to improve disaster resilience of the region, Japan is ready to share our knowledge and expertise in disaster management accumulated through our own experiences,” Sone said.
He said during the recent visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to India last week, the Govt of Japan and Govt of India came out with a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) o establish “Japan-India Act East Forum” to promote cooperation on the development of North Eastern region.
“Japan wishes to enhance cooperation in the north eastern region through the Forum,” he said.
Historically, Japan has close ties with the North eastern region through the experience of the Battles of Imphal and Kohima during World War II, he said.
Connectivity should ensure the development of all countries and use of connectivity infrastructure be open, transparent and nonexclusive manner based on international standards, he commented.
He further added that in addition to infrastructure Japan wishes to explore cooperation on business development and connect the region to other parts of country or neighboring nations.
