FICCI Business Delegation to Japan Boosts India–Japan Trade

Tokyo/Oska July 25, 2025

On the sidelines of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) led a high-level business delegation to Japan from July 22–25, reinforcing the growing economic and strategic partnership between India and Japan. The delegation, headed by Manish Sharma, Chair of FICCI Electronics & White Goods Committee and Chairman of Panasonic Life Solutions India & South Asia, aimed to catalyze collaborations across key sectors such as automobiles, smart manufacturing, digital transformation, defence and aerospace, semiconductors, healthcare, edutech, fintech and more.

Ambassador Sibi George welcomed the FICCI Business delegation at India House

The visit began with a comprehensive briefing by Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, who underscored Japan’s pivotal role as a trade and investment partner for India. He expressed optimism about the potential expansion of Japanese businesses in India—from the current 1,500 to 15,000 companies—through structured, long-term engagement. Ambassador George also emphasized the growing people-to-people dimension of the partnership, highlighting a target of facilitating 500,000 exchanges between India and Japan over the next five years.

Manish Sharma, in his remarks, highlighted the transformation of India’s manufacturing sector, noting significant improvements in ease of doing business over the past decade. Citing Suzuki Motors as a model for Indo-Japanese success, he advocated for a new wave of investments, especially in areas like energy efficiency and storage solutions.

Strategic Industry Engagements

Throughout the mission, the FICCI delegation engaged in a series of high-level meetings with Japanese industry leaders and policymakers, aimed at deepening industrial collaboration and promoting sustainable growth.

One of the key interactions was with Kenichi Ayukawa, Executive Vice President of Suzuki Motor Corporation. The discussions focused on advancing cooperation in sustainable mobility, electric vehicles (EVs), energy security, AI, telematics, and their potential to foster employability in India’s growing mobility and digital ecosystems.

In another pivotal meeting, delegates met with Matsuo Takehiko, Vice Minister for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The dialogue centered around enhancing bilateral trade, attracting industrial investments, and building resilient value chains between the two economies.

FICCI Business Delegation with Matsuo Takehiko, Vice Minister for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

Technology, Innovation & Design Partnerships

FICCI also facilitated strategic engagements with leading Japanese corporations such as NEC Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric. During the interaction with Tounai Yuuki, Director of Global Public Policy Relations at NEC, discussions explored expanding NEC’s role in India’s digital governance ecosystem. Both sides recognized strong synergies between India’s tech-driven transformation and NEC’s global innovation objectives.

A meeting with Mitsubishi Electric delved into deep tech and sustainability synergies, particularly in the defence and aerospace sectors. FICCI acknowledged Mitsubishi Electric’s role in accelerating India's journey towards a green, smart defence-tech ecosystem.

FICCI Delegates with Hiroyuki Fukano, President & COO of the Japan Institute of Design Promotion 

Design thinking and innovation were also prominent on the agenda. Delegates met with Hiroyuki Fukano, President & COO of the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP), alongside Makiko Tsumura and Akiko Watanabe. The discussions focused on fostering cooperation in product design, user-centric industrial development, and embedding Japanese principles of innovation and simplicity into India’s growing design landscape.

Make in India Industry Roadshow

The Embassy of India in Japan, in collaboration with JETRO, hosted a special industry roadshow titled ‘Make in India: Exploring Synergies in the Manufacturing Sector’ on the occasion of the FICCI delegation’s visit. The event served as a platform for cross-sectoral dialogue, featuring key investors and stakeholders from both countries. It highlighted India’s manufacturing strengths, reform-driven growth trajectory, and the vast potential for India–Japan collaboration in future-ready industries.

Visit to Bharat Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka

Members of the FICCI Business Mission to Japan visited the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. The delegation engaged with key pavilions, including the India Pavilion, USA Pavilion, Panasonic and more, fostering global partnerships, exploring future-ready solutions and promoting cultural exchanges. 

The India Pavilion at World Expo 2025 in Osaka captured India’s vibrant story of digital transformation, sustainability leadership, and cultural depth. Members of the FICCI business mission deeply engaged with this global showcase of India’s capabilities, innovation spirit, and global partnership potential. 

Conclusion

The FICCI Business Mission to Japan not only reinforced the strategic trust between India and Japan but also opened new avenues for industry-led partnerships, innovation exchange, and people-to-people connections. With strong support from both governments and active engagement from the private sector, the India–Japan relationship is poised to scale new heights, driving regional stability, sustainable development, and global economic progress.

FICCI Business Delegation with Dr. Garima Mittal Project Director Bharat Pavilion at Indian Pavilion, World Expo 2025 in Osaka.