Japan Is a Key Development Partner of Meghalaya: CM Conrad K Sangma

Shillong, Feb 27  — Conrad K Sangma on Thursday underscored Japan’s growing role in Meghalaya’s development journey, stating that the partnership spans infrastructure, youth empowerment, agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking at the sixth India-Japan Intellectual Conclave ‘Kizuna’ in Shillong, the Chief Minister said ties between the two nations are rooted in democratic values, mutual trust and a shared commitment to sustainable growth. He noted that the theme ‘Kizuna’, meaning bond, reflects the depth of bilateral engagement.

Highlighting people centric collaboration, Sangma said 47 nurses from Meghalaya have secured placements in Japan. Following his visit to the country in April 2025, the state signed an agreement with a Japanese firm to train and deploy 500 youths this year, with plans to scale up to 5,000 over five years. A Japanese language training centre has also been established in Shillong to prepare candidates for overseas opportunities.

In agriculture, the state has begun commercial production of shiitake mushroom blocks in Upper Shillong with technological and marketing backing from Japan’s YATS company. The facility, capable of producing 1.5 lakh inoculated blocks annually, is expected to support more than 1,000 farmers. Meghalaya is also exploring sake production using indigenous rice varieties in collaboration with a Japanese brewery.

Sangma pointed to long-standing cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which has funded projects in forestry, tourism and infrastructure. Under the JICA-backed MegLIFE initiative, forest restoration is being carried out across 22,500 hectares in 500 villages covering 11 districts. Renovation of the Umiam hydropower projects and construction of the nearly 19-km river bridge connecting Dhubri in Assam to Phulwari in Meghalaya are also being supported through Japanese assistance.

With nearly three-fourths of the state’s population under 35, the Chief Minister proposed a Meghalaya–Japan Skill Corridor to align local talent with Japan’s technological expertise. He also cited cultural exchanges, including a dedicated Japanese pavilion at the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, as examples of expanding people-to-people ties.

Japanese Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi, senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and representatives from JICA attended the conclave.