Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma attended the Sixth India Japan Intellectual Conclave in Shillong, joined by Japan’s Ambassador to India, Ono Keiichi, reaffirming strong bilateral ties between Meghalaya and Japan.
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| Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma with Ambassador Ono Keiichi and delegates at the Sixth India–Japan Intellectual Conclave in Shillong. (Image: X@SangmaConrad) |
Addressing the conclave, Sangma described Japan as a trusted development partner, highlighting cooperation in youth empowerment, clean energy and infrastructure development. He noted that 47 nurses from Meghalaya have already been placed in Japan, with plans to train and place over 500 youth this year, scaling up to 5,000 placements over the next five years.
The Chief Minister also pointed to successful agricultural collaboration, including India’s first commercial Shiitake mushroom block production unit in Upper Shillong, which is benefiting more than 1,000 farmers.
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Cultural ties have also strengthened through the Japanese Pavilion at the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival over the past two years, reflecting mutual respect and shared heritage.
With 74% of Meghalaya’s population under the age of 35, Sangma proposed the creation of a “Meghalaya–Japan Skill Corridor” to combine Japan’s technological expertise with the state’s youthful workforce. He termed the partnership a “living bridge of opportunity, innovation and shared growth,” expressing hope that the spirit of Kizuna would further deepen the bond between India and Japan through Meghalaya.
