VARANASI (UP), Aug 23: Yamanashi Governor Kotaro Nagasaki on Sunday said ties between Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture and Uttar Pradesh would be strengthened further, with cooperation in green hydrogen, energy security and other sectors aimed at promoting development and contributing to world peace.
“We wish to advance cooperation in several important sectors together with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. One of these important initiatives is to promote the development of Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture through a green hydrogen system. Along with this, our desire is also to contribute to the establishment of world peace through energy security,” Nagasaki said.
The Governor was interacting with the media on Sunday after offering prayers at Baba Vishwanath along with the Japanese delegation, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement.
“By coming here, one can clearly feel the devotion and respect that all of you have towards God. I too have prayed here for world peace,” he said.
Under Nagasaki’s leadership, about 15 prominent members of the Japanese delegation visited Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, offered prayers to Baba Vishwanath, and sought blessings.
Devotees welcomed the Japanese guests with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” upon their arrival at the temple, and members of the delegation joined in the chanting, showcasing the warmth of India-Japan cultural relations on the temple grounds.
On Saturday, the Japanese guests experienced the spiritual essence of the grand Baba Vishwanath Dham and visited Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his teachings. Later that evening, they participated in the Ganga Aarti at Namo Ghat, immersing themselves in Kashi’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
After offering prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Sunday, the Japanese delegation departed from Varanasi.
The Japanese delegation, comprising more than 200 members, has come to India under the UP-Japan Investment Meet-2026. Several Memorandums of Understanding related to investment and bilateral cooperation were also signed between the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Japanese delegation in Lucknow.
The visit of the Japanese delegation reflects that Kashi, the city of Baba Vishwanath, and Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha delivered his teachings, are now emerging as a medium for taking India-Japan spiritual, cultural and tourism relations to new heights, the statement added. (PTI)
