Bhubaneswar:  A high-level delegation from Tottori Prefecture, Japan, led by Toshiki Endo, Chief Secretary of Tottori Prefecture concluded a two-day visit to the State with discussions on forging a long-term partnership spanning investment, industrial cooperation, tourism, startup collaboration, skill development, higher education and cultural exchange.

The visit further strengthened the long-standing Odisha–Japan relationship, built on shared Buddhist heritage, cultural ties and a growing partnership in trade, technology and socio economic development.

The visit assumes significance as Odisha continues to strengthen its global investment outreach while deepening institutional partnerships with leading international regions. Discussions during the visit centred on the proposed Odisha–Tottori Friendship Agreement, which aims to create a formal framework for sustained cooperation between the two governments and facilitate exchanges among industries, universities, startups, young professionals and cultural institutions.

The Japanese delegation called on Anu Garg, Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, at Lok Seva Bhawan, where senior officials from the Industries, MSME, Skill Development & Technical Education, Tourism and Odia Language, Literature & Culture Departments participated in wide-ranging discussions on expanding bilateral cooperation.

Welcoming the delegation, Garg said, “Odisha has emerged as one of India's most competitive investment destinations, backed by progressive industrial policies, robust infrastructure, a skilled workforce and transparent governance.” She noted that Japan has been a valued development partner for India and expressed confidence that closer engagement with Tottori Prefecture would open new avenues for industrial collaboration, technology partnerships, innovation and people-to-people exchanges.

She highlighted Odisha's strengths in advanced manufacturing, electronics, IT, logistics, food processing, green energy, tourism and MSMEs, while inviting greater participation of Japanese enterprises in the State's rapidly expanding industrial ecosystem.

Leading the delegation, Toshiki Endo said, “Tottori Prefecture sees Odisha as a promising partner for long-term collaboration.” He observed both regions possess complementary strengths in manufacturing, innovation, tourism and human resource development, creating opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. He expressed confidence that institutional cooperation between the two governments would encourage greater engagement between businesses, educational institutions and citizens of both regions.

Beyond official meetings, the delegation was given an extensive overview of Odisha's innovation and knowledge ecosystem. At IIT Bhubaneswar, members interacted with researchers and academic leadership to explore possibilities for collaborative research, technology transfer and academic exchange. The delegation later visited the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) at Dhauli, gaining insights into Odisha's rich Buddhist heritage and the State's enduring cultural links with Japan and East Asia.

On the second day, the delegation visited KIIT University, where discussions focused on international education partnerships, student mobility and collaborative research. At Startup Odisha, the Japanese team was introduced to the State's growing startup ecosystem, innovation policies and entrepreneurship support framework that has nurtured hundreds of emerging enterprises across sectors.

A visit to the World Skill Center showcased Odisha's globally benchmarked skill development infrastructure and industry-oriented training ecosystem designed to prepare youth for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The delegation also interacted with Japanese companies operating in Odisha to understand their investment experience and identify opportunities for expanding Japanese industrial participation in the State.

The two-day engagement reaffirmed the shared vision of the Government of Odisha and the Tottori Prefectural Government to establish a long-term strategic partnership founded on mutual trust, shared prosperity and inclusive development. The proposed Odisha–Tottori Friendship Agreement is expected to create a robust institutional framework for collaboration in investment, trade, MSMEs, tourism, innovation, education, skill development, culture and youth exchange, further strengthening the enduring friendship between India and Japan.

The visit also reflects Odisha's continued efforts to expand its international outreach and position itself as a preferred destination for global investment, technology partnerships and sustainable economic cooperation, contributing to the vision of Samruddha Odisha by 2036 while reinforcing India's growing strategic partnership with Japan.