Ahmedabad, 7 May 2013

There is a world of change since 13-9-13. Resonance of one announcement in Delhi had far reaching positive vibes across nation. Appointment of Narendra Modi as PM candidate not only has infused new vigor in BJP cadres, it has made many first time voters rush to register as voters. Many in the urban middle class who rarely bother to vote are taken by #Vote4NaMo wave. As a lifelong student of Indo-Japan relations, allow me to give you a parallel view of this announcement from different prism.

Japan as India’s long trusted ally

Our media will never tell us that Japan has once again provided help. It was this friendly country in 1991 that billed us out, again PM Abe has promised to do so by virtually increasing currency swap agreement to USD 50Billion. Not only amount is as big as 25% of the FOREX reserve India had last month, it also helps allay fear on C/A deficit. For a while it saves India embarrassment of going to IMF. I trust our media for their full entertainment value. Economic Times like any other responsible trusted business paper should be discussing about economy and where we are headed, instead they give their space to Shobha De who changes the meaning of SENSEX and reduces new RBI governor to page-3 gossip topic. If this is the seriousness of Economic Times (or should we say EcoComic Times) in treating a person who is trying is best, then least said better about our own media. And when it comes to Modi, the cottage industry comes in action with all kind of ABCD. (I will come to it later).

Japanese Media’s positive press on Modi

Japan is investing heavily in India both financially but more importantly looks India as a natural ally and is investing as friends forever. Today Japan is not only the largest lender but is also largest strategic investor and is also the only country that came forward and is partnering India in one of the most ambitious infrastructure project ever. So it is very important to check what Japanese media has to say about Narendra Modi. I have taken few prominent coverage in leading dailies and NHK (the BBC or CNN of Japan). Each one of them had their own journo covering and each one had unique points to offer on Modi’s rise unlike…

Here is Gist of few leading ones:

NHK the most popular and trusted TV channel in Japan:

NHK while reporting the news hail Modi as champion of Indo-Japan relations and recalls his successful visit to Japan and how he impressed Govt officers, Political and business leaders. The news also records that Modi rides on extremely strong performance at his home state Gujarat and making the state most sought after destination from business world. On the other hand, NHK notes that great grandson of Nehru, Rahul Gandhi could be his opponent as Mr. Singh (80) is considered very old to fight next election. NHK also quotes Modi as someone who will fight Corruption and Inflation to revive ailing economy.

Nikkei (Japan’s leading Business Daily):

In very direct and no uncertain terms Nikkei gauges the mood of the nation and sums up as “A very high chance of regime change as Congress has disappointed people with corruption and mishandling of economy”. It also reminds readers about Narendra Modi’s achievements in leading Gujarat to high growth by developing infrastructure and successfully wooing companies like Ford. It further adds replicating Gujarat Growth model across India and support from business world. It mentions denial of Visa by US/UK and in the same sentence notes that even these countries are warming to Modi as he is being seen next leader to lead India.

Mainichi (one of the popular top daily) does 931 worded article:

The article hails Modi’s elevation and introduces Modi as someone with huge backing from majority Hindus and business world and quotes sr. journalist, K G Suresh “that next election will be a direct referendum on Modi v/s Rahul”. While reminding readers on Modi’s very impressive track record, it also choose to select Economic Times business leaders survey where Modi got 75% of votes compared to single mearge 7% for Rahul Gandhi. The expectation from Modi by businessmen and large middleclass is increasing as economy and rupee both are struggling under current regime, it adds.

Modi and Rahul’s background: While article dwells on Gujarat CM’s humble beginning as son of small time vendor and how he honed his skill in real world while working for RSS in younger days. His opponent Rahul Gandhi is “Heir of Dynastic rule” and counts many in his family who ruled India. However he “lacks experience,” which is evident from his extremely uninspiring speeches, notes Mainichi.

Some more from (Read ) Asahi Shinbun a left leaning but following Modi’s rise paper notes that bad economic policies of Congress led Govt is instrumental in raising expectation of masses from Narendra Modi. Jiji Press on the other hand hails “Modi the real reformer” in their headlines itself. ( Read )

Articles do mention 02, but unlike our own media (whose ABCD starts with Advani and ends Divisive) the tone of Japanese article is balanced. They see Modi as a person who has solution to India’s current woes. As Arun Shourie had rightly maintained that “At the moment country requires Decisive Leadership”, lets again look at it by Indo-Japan Prism to understand what it means

How a decisive Leadership makes difference:

Continuing on Japan, after so called lost two decade, there is suddenly economic revival. Country which was plagued with deflation or worst kind of stagflation has woken up of slumber. Companies are investing in new business, jobs are being created, markets are busy, foreign tourists are flocking in. All these after severe blows to country from Chinese border problem to Tsunami. People give credit to Abenomics; the economic policies of Current PM Shinzo Abe. But I personally feel more than his policies it is his strong conviction in “Japan can and Japan will” had a trickledown effect finally on the people at large. The self-denying left-leaning media of Japan never gave him chance and continued to post red-herring to any of his move. So much so that he had to put his plan of action in global platform avoiding Japanese media. Undeterred Abe continued to walk the path he felt was necessary for Japan. (Read Abe and Modi to know more about him and similarity with NaMo (Read ). The revival in economy was first step; his clinching Olympic bid for Tokyo in 2020 is another great feat. By doing this he made sure, Tokyo will sustain feel good mood for 7 more years to regain momentum.

Honda’s candid confession

While continuing to follow the story on Honda, I have been closely watching their plans in India. The link here gives an interesting insight to their future plans. As I had predicted in my previous article about making India export base, Honda continues to be bullish on India and has promised to do so. It’s a very candid interview by Honda Motor chairman and representative director Fumihiko Ike . where he shares his plans in details and willingness to help Indian economy with making her export base for all three products. On the last question on what he feels need to be done by Govt to get more investment? He concludes: “Strong leadership is needed.”

The answer I guessed summed up what Indians young, old and middle-aged all across India feel.