UP CM Yogi Hosts Japanese Students, Calls It Meeting Of Two Cultures

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met a group of 13 students from Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture at his official residence in Lucknow on Friday for a cultural exchange programme aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Japan.

The event, titled ‘A Dialogue With The Future’, was held as part of Uttar Pradesh-Japan investment engagements. The Japanese delegation interacted with students from schools in Lucknow. Yamanashi Governor Kotaro Nagasaki also attended.

Addressing the gathering, Adityanath welcomed the students in Japanese and said the meeting represented an exchange between two cultures and traditions. He noted that India and Japan will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations next year.

“One child has come from a village in Lucknow, another from a village in Japan. One speaks Hindi, the other Japanese. But both are writing the story of their future,” he said.

Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh, with a population of more than 250 million, is a centre of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. He said the Japanese students had visited the Taj Mahal in Agra and would also visit Ayodhya, Mathura, Varanasi and Sarnath during their trip.

He drew parallels between Japan’s emphasis on discipline, precision and teamwork and India’s concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, or “the world is one family”. “Japan’s strength is in self-discipline and innovation. India’s strength is in its youth and diversity. Together they can create new possibilities,” he said.

Nagasaki said such exchanges should not be limited to a single day. “It is important to understand our similarities and differences to build stronger ties. I hope Indian and Japanese students will take this friendship forward,” he said.

The programme included cultural performances. Japanese students sang in their language, while an Indian student performed a devotional song on Lord Ram. Students also exchanged views on food, travel and popular culture, including references to the Taj Mahal and Japanese anime.

The Japanese students presented handmade origami to the Chief Minister as a symbol of peace and friendship. The event concluded with a group photo and selfies with Adityanath.

Officials said the exchange was intended to build goodwill among young people as India and Japan expand economic and cultural cooperation.