Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tokyo on August 29, 2025, for a two-day official visit to Japan, marking his first visit to the country in seven years. The trip is centered around the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit, where he will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The summit is expected to chart the next phase of the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which has steadily deepened over the past decade.
The two leaders are focusing on strengthening cooperation in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and defense technology. A major highlight of the visit is Japan’s commitment to invest over ¥10 trillion (about $68 billion) in India over the next decade, signaling Tokyo’s strong economic partnership with New Delhi. The discussions also include accelerating work on the E10 Shinkansen high-speed bullet train project and boosting defense collaborations through joint exercises and technology sharing.
PM Modi’s agenda also extends to regional stability and security. Both India and Japan are working closely within the QUAD framework, alongside the United States and Australia, to ensure a free and secure Indo-Pacific. Strategic coordination in the face of global uncertainties, including trade challenges and regional tensions, forms a key part of the dialogue.
During the visit, PM Modi addressed the India–Japan Economic Forum, highlighting India as a “talent powerhouse” and inviting Japanese companies to invest under the “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative. He emphasized India’s growing role in global supply chains and assured Japanese investors of long-term returns and stability.
Beyond diplomacy and economics, cultural engagement played a significant role in the visit. PM Modi was welcomed with performances by Japanese artists showcasing traditional Indian dance forms like Kathak, Mohiniyattam, and Rajasthani folk. The event was warmly received by locals, with one Japanese citizen emotionally expressing, “सबसे अच्छे दिन मेरे लिए आ गए हैं” (“The best days of my life have come”), underscoring the people-to-people bond between the two nations.
This Japan visit also serves as the first leg of PM Modi’s wider diplomatic tour, which will take him next to Tianjin, China, to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. With economic cooperation, strategic defense, cultural outreach, and regional security all on the table, the Tokyo visit is expected to further cement India’s role as a vital partner in Asia’s future.
