Japanese Tech, UP's Young Workforce To Strengthen Trade And Investments: Minister Gupta

Japan's technological prowess and Uttar Pradesh's young workforce could open a new chapter in industrial development and strengthen trade and investment ties between the two sides, the state's Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta said on Friday.

Addressing the Uttar Pradesh-Japan Investment Summit 2026 here in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Gupta said the foundation of mutual partnership, understanding and trust was already laid during the chief minister's recent visit to Japan.

"The arrival of the distinguished Japanese delegation in Uttar Pradesh has now given this cooperation a focused, positive and goal-oriented direction," the minister said.

Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Japanese prefecture Yamanashi, and his deputy Junichi Ishidera are part of the visiting Japanese delegation.

"Today is extremely important from the perspective of the India-Japan partnership. Together, we are writing a new chapter in our journey of mutual trade and investment," Gupta said.

He said that the partnership has been built on a long-standing relationship rooted in shared cultural heritage and has gained further strength under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance and Adityanath's leadership in the state.

Japan is globally known for its advanced technology, hard work and discipline, while Uttar Pradesh had emerged as an important investment destination because of its large young population, extensive consumer market and world-class infrastructure, Gupta said.

He also highlighted the state's connectivity infrastructure, including expressways, highways, airports, waterways and railways.

"Uttar Pradesh today has a road network of more than four lakh kilometres. Eight expressways are operational, while work is underway on eight more. More than 60% of the country's total expressway network is in Uttar Pradesh, and the state is now identified as an 'expressway state'," Gupta said.

The minister said the state currently has 19 domestic and five international airports, becoming the first state in the country to have such extensive air connectivity.

He also highlighted the inland waterway from Varanasi to Haldia in West Bengal and said Uttar Pradesh has around 16,000 km of railway network.

"Industrial cooperation with Japan is a golden opportunity to realise major achievements. The coming together of Japanese technology and Uttar Pradesh's young workforce marks the beginning of a historic journey in industrial development," he said.

There is a considerable scope for cooperation in sectors such as automobiles, electronics, semiconductors, defence manufacturing, medical technology, robotics, artificial intelligence and green energy, the minister said.

He described the Uttar Pradesh-Yamanashi partnership as an "excellent example" of such cooperation.

The minister further said that the institutional partnership was steadily expanding into areas including green hydrogen, skills and technology, with particular emphasis on cooperation for the growth of small and medium enterprises.

"The biggest beneficiaries of this partnership will be the youth. Along with increasing industrial cooperation, employment generation will provide the state's youth an opportunity to showcase their talent," Gupta said.

He said Japan's disciplined work culture and emphasis on continuously improving one's work could offer valuable lessons for Uttar Pradesh.

"Certainly, in the coming period, the Yamanashi partnership will combine capability and technical skills to write a new success story," Gupta said.

He expressed confidence that the partnership would go beyond investment figures and give a new impetus to employment, technology, trade and development.

"The efforts and understanding of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the governor from Japan have made this entire process faster and more result-oriented. The friendship between India and Japan is not merely a friendship between two countries; it is a shared endeavour based on development and trust and a guarantee of a better future," Gupta said.