Kerala, Japan to sign key MoUs at ‘Japan Fair 2025’ in Kochi
These agreements are expected to create a new framework for collaboration across business, education, marine technology, and innovation.
These agreements are expected to create a new framework for collaboration across business, education, marine technology, and innovation.
These agreements are expected to create a new framework for collaboration across business, education, marine technology, and innovation.
Kochi: Strengthening Kerala’s growing ties with Japan, the third edition of ‘Japan Mela 2025’ will be held on October 16 and 17 in Kochi. A major highlight of the fair, organised by the Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce Kerala (INJACK), will be the signing of two landmark Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on October 17. The first MoU will be between the Kerala industries department and the mayors of five cities in Japan’s Sanin region, while the second will be between INJACK and the Tanabe region in Japan. These agreements are expected to create a new framework for collaboration across business, education, marine technology, and innovation.
The MoUs will be signed in the presence of Industries Minister P Rajeeve at Ramada Resort, which is the venue of the fair. According to K Elangovan, vice-president of INJACK and general convener of Japan Mela 2025, the government-to-government MoU will serve as a broad platform for official delegations from both sides to engage, visit industrial and technological facilities, and hold B2B meetings.
“The MoU will help bring Japanese delegations to Kerala and send our teams to the Sanin region and other parts of Japan, enabling both sides to explore opportunities in key sectors,” Elangovan said.
The second MoU, between INJACK and the Tanabe region, will focus on business facilitation. “If a Japanese company wants to set up a plant here, we will work with the government to ensure smooth clearances. This pact will make Kerala more investment-friendly for Japanese industries,” he added.
The collaboration between INJACK and Japanese partners spans multiple sectors, including healthcare and marine products. “Japan is a huge importer of tuna, mostly from Thailand and the Philippines. They are now interested in tuna harvesting in the Indian Ocean, using offshore vessels that handle harvesting and processing at sea. We hope to sign a few MoUs in this sector during Japan Fair 2025,” Elangovan said.
He also revealed that Japan is exploring opportunities for young Keralites to work as ‘Social Counsellors’ to support its ageing population. “These counsellors will provide companionship and emotional support to the elderly in Japan. The salaries are attractive, but fluency in Japanese is essential. INJACK is organising language training courses in Kochi to prepare candidates,” Elangovan said.
Viju Jacob, president of INJACK and executive chairman of Synthite Industries, pointed out that poor air connectivity remains a major obstacle to expanding Kerala-Japan relations. “Despite having four international airports, Kerala has no direct flights to Japan. We have already approached the central government to start direct services,” Jacob said.
The two-day fair will bring together leading Japanese and Indian companies from sectors such as tourism, wellness, spices and food processing, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, startups, green energy, and maritime infrastructure.
Sessions will explore how Indian startups can integrate with Japan’s AI and robotics ecosystem, and workshops will focus on employment opportunities in Japanese companies.