Japan’s Yamanashi Vice Governor meets CM Yogi

Japanese delegation lauds Uttar Pradesh government’s efforts in clean energy sector

Discussion focuses on green hydrogen cooperation, policy initiatives and pilot project in YEIDA

Uttar Pradesh ready to play a major role in strengthening India-Japan strategic partnership

Consensus on cultural cooperation and future collaboration through Buddhist Heritage

Lucknow, January 2026 : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday received a high level eight member delegation led by Mr. Junichi Ishidera, Vice Governor of Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture, in Lucknow. Held in a cordial atmosphere, the meeting focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Japan under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as advancing cooperation between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture.

Welcoming the Japanese delegation, the Chief Minister said, India Japan relations are not merely diplomatic in nature, but are rooted in shared values such as mutual trust, discipline, innovation and sustainable development. He emphasized that Uttar Pradesh is fully committed to translating this partnership into tangible outcomes at the grassroots level.

Special focus during the meeting was placed on the effective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024 between the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture. The MoU provides a strong framework for cooperation in clean energy, particularly green hydrogen along with innovation, capacity building and sustainable industrial development.

The Chief Minister highlighted that centers of excellence have been established in the state to promote research, innovation and skill development in the green hydrogen sector. He also referred to the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024, which has created a clear, transparent and investor friendly ecosystem. The responsibility for implementing this policy has been entrusted to UPNEDA.

During the meeting, the commencement of commercial operations of a green hydrogen pilot project in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) area was underscored as a significant milestone. The Japanese delegation appreciated the Uttar Pradesh government’s efforts in the field of clean energy and expressed keen interest in further expanding cooperation.

Discussions also covered the deep civilizational and cultural ties between India and Japan, particularly the potential for strengthening people to people connections through Buddhist heritage and the Buddhist tourism circuit.

Expressing confidence, the Chief Minister said that cooperation between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture will grow stronger in the coming years and will provide new direction to long term partnerships in green energy, industrial development, innovation and cultural exchange.