‘Indians need to pay more attention to Japan as compared to other countries’

Michio Harada, Consul General of Japan in Mumbai joined six months ago but within a short span of time he understood Indian culture, interest, traditions well. He visited several parts of Maharashtra , Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and the places impressed him. He wants to promote those places at Japan as according to him both the countries have a very little flow of tourists from each other. But he is optimistic that Indians will start visiting Japan very soon. Michio Harada is the one who, 10 years ago had begun dialogue on Maritime Security between India and Japan in capacity as Director of the Marine Security Policy Division in foreign office of Japan.

Then the things were not that smooth. On Monday he was in Nagpur regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between Japan and Swami Vivekanand Medical Mission, Khapri. During his short stay at hospital premises ‘The Hitavada’ talked to him on several issues related to the relationship of Japan and India.

Our Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are coming up with several projects. At the same time Japan is also bringing smaller projects related to common man. Like today we signed Memorandum of Understanding with this hospital.

The grassroot assistance to hospitals, schools, others always helps. Japan believes in small projects instead of big projects. These small projects establish the connect of people of Japan with people of India. Both countries are trying to establish relationship but still many people of both the countries have not visited each other’s country.

I visited several places in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and enchanted by those. I shall promote those places in Japan so that people would come to India. There are 3,000 Indian hotels in Japan. But unfortunately not many Indians visit Japan. The number of visitors to Japan from India is not very encouraging, at least not as compared to China tourists to Japan, Hongkong to Japan etc.

Mahatma Gandhi is a great leader who led Independence movement. We have big respect for India which produced such a big leaders. India and Japan should work together in this coming century. For us China is very important in terms of economic affairs. We are neighbors. We share border at sea and sometimes we are not happy with the activities China conducts. But for the improvement of relations between India and Japan more things can be done to secure maritime safety. We not only want to promote trade between India and Japan but also the culture, traditions etc. Ten years ago when I was head of maritime security, India Japan did not have good dialogue. I had proposed to strengthen maritime security. Now India and Japan are doing very good work. We are promoting culture, business, security.

Campaigns of Modi are really great. The slogans itself are great. Japan had gone through the stages during the economic development. We have experienced pollution, responsibilities to keep environment safe and free. Now India is doing great work.

Fit India is a great campaign. We appreciate it. Indian promotes fitness is a great thing. I participated in nineth international yoga day that impressed me highly. Though I am not doing it regularly, I am planning to do it regularly. I may try Yoga.

Americans and Japanese we kill each other in war. We fought more fiercely with each other. But after the war it was Americans who helped Japan to recover. America is one of the most important allies of ours. They do have many military bases in Japan. 40,000 Americans stay in Japan. Our security alliance, relationship assume importance. In terms of trade we have it more with China than with America. In some of the areas we are not happy with Americans. But, we see American culture is more positive. India tends to look America, Europe but doesn’t pay enough attention to Japan. Indians should look at Japan as its important partner. When I visit Ambani school I asked students how many of them went to New York. You won’t believe but 300 out of 400 raised their hands. When I asked the same question about Japan, only 20 students said yes. But I am optimistic, in coming years visitors to Japan from India would increase. I hope change would take place from in oriental mode as far as relationship between India and Japan is concerned.