‘A never ending relation was built up between Japan and Manipur’

By The Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

A team of Japanese delegates who are here in the state for a three day visit for the purpose of giving tributes and solidarity to the departed souls, who had sacrificed their life during World War II, had met governor of Manipur Najma Heptulla at Raj Bhawan today.

In the informal meeting that was attended by the Japanese delegates and the governor, the strengthening of Indo-Japanese relation specifically with Manipur was discussed.

The governor welcomed all the delegates and extended her views of having a good relation between India and Japan. “Culturally there is a close connection between India and Japan because India also follows all the three religion such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism which are widely accepted in South East” she said.

Not only in terms of cultural relation, a never ending relation was built up between Japan and Manipur ever since the Second World War which occurred from 1939 to 1945, she added.

As road connectivity is one of the essential requirements in building a good relationship between countries, she said “Japan should help build roads in Manipur for connectivity with the entire South East Asian countries for which she is also pursuing the matter with the government, to construct good road connections that reach the entire South East Asian countries.”

Showing her keen interest in creating a close connection between Indo-Japanese and Manipur –Japan relation, she recalled “I had discussed with the Ambassador of Japan regarding the bi- lateral relation between Indo-Japan and Manipur-Japan and cleansing of Loktak Lake as well in the previous year.”

Recently at the Sangai festival business summit she invited Japanese delegates and asked them to invest in Manipur in building roadways, she added.

The governor suggested the Japanese team to visit the Manipur state museum where the artefacts of the world war were displayed.

Gyomyo Nakamaru who led the 11 delegates said the main purpose of their visit was to pray at Japan War Memorial Complex at Maibam Lokpa Ching, for the war victims of the Japanese army, the Indian army and the civilians who had died in World War II, particularly in Japanese-Imphal-Ladakh war.

He requested the governor to make the state government improve the road connectivity of Manipur so that Japanese tourist can visit the state and promote Manipur tourism.

As a token of love, the Japanese delegates gifted items to the governor that included a scarf which was printed with symbol of coming Olympic Games. The governor of Manipur also presented a book about World War II to the Japanese delegates.