Bhubaneswar, May 20 (IANS) Odisha will soon forge a “sister state” partnership with Japan’s Tottori Prefecture, marking a significant step towards strengthening long-term cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology, tourism, and skill development, government officials said on Wednesday.

According to an official statement of Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the decision was taken during the meeting of the Consul General of Japan in Kolkata Ishikawa Yoshihisa and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Loka Seva Bhawan here.

Taking to his offficial X account, Chief Minister Majhi said: “The Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, Ishikawa Yoshihisa, called on me at Loka Seva Bhawan and we held discussions on strengthening Odisha–Japan relations across trade, investment, technology, tourism, and skill development. Appreciated Japan’s continued support to Odisha’s growth journey and welcomed the proposed sister-state partnership between Odisha and Tottori Prefecture. We also agreed to further deepen institutional cooperation and explore enhanced opportunities for youth employment and tourism linkages.”

The CMO also told that during the discussions, Chief Minister Majhi and the Consul General of Japan in Kolkata deliberated on the ways for strengthening relationship between Japan and Odisha.

Chief Minister Majhi appreciated the Japanese support to various development projects in Odisha, and the expanding trade relationship.

He expected Japan to expand its footprints in investment and industrialisation efforts of Odisha.

Japanese Consul General Ishikawa praised the historic ties between Odisha and Japan in art, culture, history and heritage.

He said that Japan is ready to strengthen ties with Odisha in the socio-economic endeavours of the state.

“During the discussion, it was decided that Japanese Prefecture (State) Tottori will partner with Odisha to function like sister states. High level delegations from both the states to visit each other. At a later date, Odisha Chief Minister (Mohan Charan Majhi) and Tottori Governor (Shinji Hirai) will declare the partnership,” the CMO told.

Besides, the delegations of both Japan and Odisha also agreed to strengthen relationship in trade, investment, technology and tourism.

The Buddhist circuit, and other natural places of Odisha will be key to expanding tourism prospects with Japan.

Another key decision taken during the meeting was that some Japanese recruitment agencies will come to Odisha to enhance the scope for Odia youths to get placements in Japan.

–IANS

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