Nagaland-Japan Connect 2026 was inaugurated in Dimapur to deepen education, employment, cultural and business ties with Kochi Prefecture, Japan.
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DIMAPUR — Nagaland-Japan Connect 2026, a strategic platform aimed at strengthening people-to-people diplomacy and practical cooperation between Nagaland and Japan, was inaugurated in Dimapur on Wednesday, with a focus on education, employment, cultural exchange and business linkages.
The event, held at the Integrated Business Hub and Innovation Centre (IBHIC), was attended by senior state government officials, Japanese delegates from Kochi Prefecture, industry partners and youth participants.
Addressing the programme, Deputy Chief Minister (Planning and Transformation) TR Zeliang said that the event reflects the deepening partnership between Nagaland and Japan, founded on mutual trust and shared values.
He recalled that Nagaland’s engagement with Japan began in 2014 with a visit by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), leading to major collaborations such as the Nagaland Forest Management Project, which benefited 185 villages across 22 forest ranges by restoring forests and supporting local livelihoods.
Zeliang said that Japan has further extended support through an INR 564 crore official development assistance (ODA) loan for the 400-bed medical college hospital at Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima.
Maintaining that human capital development remains Nagaland’s priority, the deputy chief minister said initiatives such as the Centre of Excellence for Foreign Languages are preparing youth for global opportunities by building language skills, cultural readiness and professional discipline.
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He added that the memorandum of understanding with Kochi Prefecture has strengthened government-to-government cooperation in human resource exchange, skill development and agriculture.
Zeliang said that Nagaland youth are already working in Japanese companies, sending remittances home and supporting their families. “This demonstrates that targeted interventions can unlock private sector opportunities and create inclusive, sustainable progress,” he added.
He affirmed that the state government will scale up training programmes, expand partnerships and strengthen institutional frameworks, with a focus on transparency, dignity of labour and long-term career pathways.
He also invited Japanese partners to collaborate in high-potential sectors, asserting that Nagaland’s strategic location positions it as a future innovation hub.
Manga and anime
Speaking on creative collaboration, Kaushik Choudhury of Konnekt Asia LLP said that Nagaland’s youth have strong potential in manga and anime.
He announced that Konnekt Asia Japan will bring a delegation led by renowned manga and anime artist Toshiyuki Honda, associated with works such as Doraemon, to the White Owl Festival in February.
He said that the initiative aims to explore the structured introduction of manga and anime in Nagaland, including possibilities within school education, collaborative projects and direct engagement with Japanese creative teams.
Choudhury also outlined proposals to promote Nagaland coffee in Japan under the concept “Nagaland in a Cup”, develop renewable energy solutions for remote areas, introduce Japanese gaming platforms, and launch Project Satori, which proposes a Japanese elderly living village in Nagaland to promote long-stay tourism and strengthen the local care economy.
He further said discussions are underway to explore Sister City and Sister State relationships between Kohima and Nishi-Tokyo City, and between Nagaland and Kochi Prefecture, to promote exchanges in trade, education and culture.
Kochi partnership
Kunitoshi Hojo, Deputy Director General of the Kochi Prefectural Department of Commerce and Labour, highlighted Japan’s ageing population and workforce shortage, particularly in caregiving.
He said that Kochi Prefecture is actively recruiting international workers and expressed optimism about the growing participation of Nagaland youth.
According to him, Kochi Prefecture currently has 19 workers from Nagaland, with more expected to join by the end of the year, taking the total to 31. He added that eight companies from Kochi Prefecture are participating in Nagaland–Japan Connect 2026.
Industries and Commerce Advisor Hekani Jakhalu said that according to the 2011 Census, 63% of Nagaland’s population is of working age, with over 60% below 35 years.
She described unemployment as a major challenge and praised Nagaland youth for stepping beyond their comfort zones to explore global opportunities.
She credited Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s pro-youth vision for making the Japan partnership possible and said the interest shown by Japanese companies is the result of sustained government efforts. “This programme has been carefully curated for both youth and employers,” she said.