Vadodara, 20 August 2014

Speaking at inauguration of TOTO plant at Halol in central Gujarat Japanese Ambassador Takeshi Yagi today said that Japan and India are bound by complimentary of our strengths.

He said, “trade and investment has grown quintessentially in recent years. Particularly noteworthy is increase of foreign direct investment from Japan to India which has grown 7 times in the recent past. And important development is that Gujarat is now emerging as a new center for Japanese companies thanks to the business friendly environment and excellent infrastructure in the state. More and more Japanese companies have settled down in Gujarat. The number is now about 60 and it is expected to exceed 100 soon.”

He further said, “Among those investments(in Gujarat) , the first factory of TOTO in India has a special meaning. TOTO was founded almost 100 years ago when Japan did not have a sewage system yet. And last week Prime Minister of India declared clean India campaign. What a coincident! I strongly feel that operation of TOTO in India will contribute to Indian society as well as economy in coming years. I request the state of Gujarat who has continued its cooperation support not only for TOTO but all the Japanese companies operating in Gujarat. The Japanese government too is working closely with the Indian Govt and with the state govt on infrastructure development including among them is national flagship project DMIC of which Gujarat is integral part.”

He said, “In 2012 our two nations celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relationship. Just last week Modi’s visit to Japan was officially announced. Various new cooperation will come out of this visit.”