Piyush Goyal Concludes Visit to Japan, Highlights Strong Interest from Japanese Firms in India

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has wrapped up a four-day visit to Japan, noting a significant interest from Japanese businesses in expanding their investments in India. The trip has reportedly set the stage for early investment opportunities, particularly in the robotics sector.

In an interview with ANI at the conclusion of his visit, Goyal expressed that there was “very good excitement in Japan.” He underscored the participation of over 200 individuals from the Indian business community and the global industry during this trip. He remarked, “I saw very good excitement in Japan. I have had many good meetings. More than 200 people from India, from the world of industry, came with me. They also have many business-to-business connections.”

The Minister emphasised that the visit was productive, resulting in more than mere discussions, and highlighted the commencement of business-to-business engagements that are anticipated to lead to actual investment opportunities. Goyal provided a case in point regarding the robotics sector, stating that a company he met with in Tokyo had quickly moved to identify an Indian partner for manufacturing robots in India by the following Thursday.

“I was talking to a company in robotics on Monday in Tokyo, and today in Osaka, they have identified a company in India to invest in and make robots in India,” Goyal reported. “So, the results are also coming along with it, and a lot of potential has been seen.”

The Minister acknowledged the vast opportunities emerging from the economic engagement between India and Japan. He declared, “The possibilities are limitless. We have to give shape to the industrial world of India.”

During his visit, which spanned from August 24 to August 27, Goyal led a business delegation consisting of nearly 200 members, aiming to enhance trade and investment relations between the two nations. The agenda included meetings with senior executives from various Japanese companies across multiple sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, aluminium, paints and coatings, and sports manufacturing.

There was a concerted push to deepen Japanese investment in growing sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data centres, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing during the trip. Goyal pointed out that around 1,500 Japanese companies are currently operational in India, with a target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to double this number to 3,000.

“The goal is to attract investment across various sectors, such as financial services, insurance, and pension funds, and to leverage Japanese technology and investment on a large scale,” Goyal stated during his meetings.

He also stressed the necessity of boosting business-to-business cooperation between India and Japan, highlighting his aspiration for the number of Japanese firms in India to double within this decade. Discussions included Japan’s interest in manufacturing for global markets, where local businesses engaged in various emerging sectors.

The trip also involved dialogue regarding the review of the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Goyal noted that talks had just commenced, indicating that both nations would be attentive to their sensitive issues while negotiating.

“Of course, whenever there is a review, every country takes care of its sensitive issues. In the same way, the talks with Japan have just begun,” he conveyed.

Furthermore, the Minister mentioned India’s readiness to address regulatory concerns raised by enterprises aiming to set up manufacturing operations in the country. He stated that the government would amend existing regulations and introduce new rules in the coming months to alleviate these concerns.

On the economic front, the India-Japan bilateral trade reached USD 27.47 billion for FY 2025-26, with exports from Japan to India amounting to USD 21.43 billion and Indian imports to Japan at USD 6.04 billion. Both industry bodies and government officials aim to elevate this bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030.

This visit reflects a strategic move by India and Japan to strengthen their economic ties, marking 2026 as the “India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons” to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. Goyal concluded by affirming that the positive feedback from Japanese businesses and early developments in sectors like robotics illustrate the potential for transitioning the relationship toward greater investment, technology, and manufacturing collaborations.

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