Maha favourite destination of Japan companies: Consul General

Noting that 250 Japanese companies are operating from Maharashtra, he said many Japanese companies prefer the state.

Asaka met Governor K Sankaranarayanan at Raj Bhavan here. The Consul General said during the meeting that the number of Japanese companies in India has tripled over the last three years, a government release informed here.

Stating that a large number of Japanese are Buddhists, Asaka said the people of Japan look up to India with reverence as Buddhism originated in India. He expressed gratitude to India for helping the country rise again after World War II, the release said.

Asaka told the Governor Japan will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries by organising a series of cultural programmes in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and other places during the year.

Japan will try to expand the sister-city relationship between Mumbai and Yokohama, he said, adding it would be his endeavour to increase the number of Indian tourists to Japan, which currently is very small.

The Governor said India and Japan have had very cordial association for many decades. Acknowledging Japanese assistance in the restoration of Ajanta Caves, the Governor expressed hope that the relations between the two countries would be further strengthened in the years to come.