Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday highlighted the deepening partnership between Nagaland and Japan, describing it as a relationship rooted in shared history and strengthened through reconciliation, trust, and forward-looking cooperation.
Addressing the Nagaland–Japan Connect 2026 programme at Zone Niathu by The Park, Rio welcomed a Japanese delegation, including partners from Kochi Prefecture, as well as representatives from industry, academic institutions and government agencies. He said the partnership has evolved into a structured collaboration focusing on human capital development, cultural exchange, and long-term economic cooperation.
Rio noted that the bond between Nagaland and Japan traces back to the shared history of the Second World War. He said Nagaland’s approach to remembrance—grounded in reconciliation and humanity—had transformed a painful past into a relationship built on mutual respect and trust, symbolised through the care of war memorials and sustained people-to-people interactions.
The chief minister said the partnership gained formal shape with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kochi Prefecture in July 2025, complementing the broader India–Japan strategic relationship based on democratic values and a shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Highlighting Nagaland’s youth as the state’s greatest asset, Rio said cooperation with Japan centres on skill development, structured human resource exchange, and employability. The initiative aims to address Japan’s workforce needs while providing dignified employment, skills enhancement, and global exposure for Naga youth. “This is about long-term capability building and empowerment, not migration alone,” he emphasised.
Rio also underscored the social and cultural dimensions of the partnership, stating that Naga youth training and working in Japan serve as ambassadors of goodwill. He said there was scope to expand collaboration into agriculture, agri-technology, MSME development, innovation, and tourism, inviting Japanese institutions and companies to consider Nagaland a partner state and gateway to Northeast India.
Assuring continued support, Rio said the state government would provide policy backing and institutional facilitation. He acknowledged the role of Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) chairman Abu Metha and advisor for Industries and Commerce Hekani Jakhalu in steering the initiative.
Earlier in the day, the inaugural session of the state government’s flagship programme was held at the Integrated Business Hub & Innovation Centre (IBH&IC) in Dimapur under the theme “Build, Connect, Progress.”
Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, attending as special guest, described the initiative as a reflection of the steadily growing partnership between Nagaland and Japan, built on mutual trust, shared values and a collective vision for the future. He said the programme aimed to connect Nagaland’s youth and institutions with global opportunities.
Zeliang recalled that engagement with Japan began with a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delegation visit in 2014, followed by assistance for the Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) in 2017. The project supports ecological restoration and sustainable rehabilitation of jhum land across 185 villages in 22 forest ranges.
He also highlighted JICA’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of around ₹564 crore for a 400-bed medical college hospital at the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima, calling it a major boost to healthcare and medical education.
Zeliang said the MoU with Kochi Prefecture formalised collaboration in human resource exchange, skill development, and agriculture. He noted that around 190 Naga youths are currently employed in Japan, earning an average salary of ₹1.3 lakh, while nearly 300 others are undergoing Japanese language training.
Deputy Director General of the Kochi Prefectural Department of Commerce and Labour, Kunitoshi Hojo, said Japan’s ageing population has increased demand for disciplined young workers. From none two years ago, Kochi Prefecture now hosts 19 workers from Nagaland, with 30 more in training.
Advisor Hekani Jakhalu called the initiative a milestone, pointing out that over 60% of Nagaland’s population is under 35. Industry partner Kaushik Choudhury of Konnekt Asia LLP outlined cooperation in fields such as anime skills, coffee promotion, renewable energy, elderly care and gaming platforms.
Advisor to the Chief Minister and IDAN chairman Abu Metha said the programme followed sustained engagement after the chief minister’s Japan visit and marked the first formal agreement between Nagaland and a foreign government.
More than 450 students registered for the event, where direct job interviews were conducted with Japanese employers across multiple sector
