The Rising Sun Conclave 2: Strengthening India-Japan Relations
New Delhi, 25th February 2025: The second edition of The Rising Sun Conclave, presented by Connect India Japan, successfully concluded at the India International Centre, reinforcing the deepening ties between India and Japan.founded by Ms. Nupur Tewari—an Indian entrepreneur and cultural ambassador residing in Japan for over two decades—aims to bridge the gap between the two nations.
About Connect India Japan
Connect India Japan has been instrumental in facilitating seamless operations for Indian and Japanese businesses through its flagship initiatives, including its bilingual magazine, CIJ Today news portal, and an exclusive podcast series that brings insightful discussions. Additionally, through its business portal, Connect India Japan provides comprehensive support such as legal and strategic assistance for market entry, real estate and tourism services, and employment assistance by connecting job seekers with top HR firms in Japan.
Prestigious Guests and Awards
The grand event commenced with the national anthems of both India and Japan, followed by mesmerizing Odissi dance performance and an inspiring keynote address by Ms.Nupur Tewari, The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Honorable Mrs. Smriti Irani, Former Cabinet Minister, Government of India, who engaged in a fireside chat, sharing her insights on India-Japan collaboration. She also presented the India-Japan Excellence Awards, a first-of-its-kind recognition honoring individuals who have made remarkable contributions to strengthening ties between the two nations. This year’s awardees included:
● Ambassador Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, Chairperson, India-Japan Friendship Forum
● Mr. Dhanesh Kumar Jain, Chairman Emeritus, Lumax-DK Jain Group
● Mr. Kenji Nakajima, Founder, Manami Restaurant
The event also welcomed distinguished guests, including Mr. Takashi Ariyoshi, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Embassy of Japan in India, whose speech set the stage for insightful discussions on strengthening bilateral ties between India and Japan.
Additionally, the conclave featured Ambassador Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, Former Ambassador of India to Japan and Chairperson of the India-Japan Friendship Forum; Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma, former Ambassador of India to Japan; Ambassador Raj Srivastava, former Ambassador of India to Croatia; and a special video message from Honorable Ambassador Sibi George, India’s Ambassador to Japan, further underscoring the importance of the growing Indo-Japanese partnership.
Thought-Provoking Panel Discussions
The Rising Sun Conclave 2 featured insightful discussions across five key themes:
1. The Spiritual Conversation – From Dhyan to Zen
Mohanji explored mindfulness as a bridge between India and Japan.
2. Business Opportunities
Mr. Deepak Jain (LUMAX), Dr. Gurpreet Sandhu (REVA PHARMA), and Mr. Hidefumi Kasagi (Hero Honda) discussed investments and collaborations.
3. Media and Geopolitics
Mr. Ramnik Singh Mann, Military Professional, Dr. Anand Ranganathan, Scientist & Author, Mr. Tehseen Poonawalla, Entrepreneur & Columnist and Mr. Abhijit Iyer Mitra, Journalist analyzing the role of media in shaping public opinion on global affairs and India-Japan relations.
4. People-to-People Connect
Dr. Ashok Kumar Chawla, Advisor, MEA, Mr. Rahul Bapat, Japanese Real Estate Expert, Mr. Tomio Isogai Former MD Officer, and Mr. Sudhir Jaiswal, President & CEO, ESSPL emphasizing the importance of human connections in diplomacy.
5. Hospitality and Airlines
Mr. Hiroyuki Mitsuhashi (ANA), Mr. Vaibhav Mittal (IHCL), Mr. Kojiro Honda (Hirohama India), and Ms. Akiyama Mizuho discussed tourism and business travel.
Conclusion
The conclave concluded with an exclusive networking dinner, fostering deeper connections among business leaders, policymakers, and cultural ambassadors.
With The Rising Sun Conclave 2, Connect India Japan continues its mission to serve as a catalyst for collaboration, paving the way for strategic partnerships, cultural exchange, and economic growth between India and Japan.
