India, 25th June: On the second day of Japan visit, Hon’ble Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka, Shri M.B. Patil, held strategic meetings with prominent Japanese companies including Daiki Axis, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, SMRJ, and Renesas Electronics. These meetings focused on exploring investment opportunities and strengthening industrial collaboration between Karnataka and Japan. Shri M.B. Patil highlighted Karnataka’s robust industrial ecosystem, favourable business climate, and progressive policies that make it an ideal investment hub for global companies. The discussions also emphasized the potential for collaboration in sectors such as electronics, heavy machinery, and sustainable infrastructure development. In addition to the high-le vel meetings, Minister Patil led a Roadshow in Japan organized by the Government of Karnataka to showcase the state’s investment potential. It featured presentations and discussions on Karnataka’s strategic advantages and investment-friendly initiatives The meetings were attended by Shri Selvakumar S, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries, and Smt Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Commerce and Industries.
All the meetings underscored Karnataka’s strategic importance as an investment destination. Key highlights included signing significant MOUs, exploring potential collaborations in sectors ranging from sustainable infrastructure to advanced manufacturing, and showcasing Karnataka’s strengths in attracting global investments. The meetings also addressed specific initiatives to enhance economic ties, promote innovation, and foster partnerships that align with Karnataka’s vision for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Highlights of the Key meetings
Daiki Axis
Hon’ble Minister Shri M.B. Patil held a significant meeting with Mr. Rio Waza from Daiki Axis, during which an MoU was signed to set up an STP and wastewater management equipment manufacturing facility in Karnataka. They explored land options in Doddaballapura and Tumakuru, visiting the Japanese Industrial Township (JIT) in Tumakuru and shortlisting a 4-acre land parcel. The Government of Japan’s Johkasou technology, a decentralized wastewater treatment approach with over four decades of successful use in Japan, will be employed by the Daiki Axis facility to ensure water conservation and relieve pressure on water resources in Karnataka.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI)
Shri M.B. Patil had meeting with Sumitomo Heavy Industries’ key executives, including Mr. Tetsuya Okamura, Chairman and Representative Director; Mr. Toshiharu Tanaka, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Globalization Department; Mr. Satoru Yajima, General Manager of the Corporate Planning Department; and Mr. Hisanori Kira, India Business Manager of the Globalization Department. The meeting discussed several pivotal initiatives. SHI is planning to open its head office in Bengaluru. They highlighted their engagement with major clients like Siemens and GE for MRI diagnostic equipment, anticipating swift growth in the MedTech sector, and welcomed the Karnataka government’s support in connecting with local companies to bolster this expansion. The discussion also covered SHI’s significant presence in the construction equipment sector, leveraging Karnataka’s strong capital goods infrastructure, and their exploration of local manufacturing as their market presence in India grows. SHI expressed keen interest in India’s semiconductor industry, planning to explore semiconductor equipment manufacturing as the ecosystem matures. Additionally, the meeting addressed India’s new industrial policy, the provision of flexible incentives for businesses, and the promising growth in the automotive industry.
Japan Road Show:
The Government of Karnataka also organized a Japan Roadshow, showcasing lucrative investment opportunities in the state to over 150 companies and prominent associations including SMRJ and JCCI. The event featured presentations highlighting Japanese companies’ successful ventures in Karnataka by Mr. Toshihiro Mizutani, Director General of JETRO Bengaluru, and detailed insights into business prospects by Smt. Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development. Dr. S. Selvakumar, IAS, Principal Secretary of Karnataka’s Commerce & Industries Department, discussed the specific advantages for Japanese companies considering investments in Karnataka. Dr. K G Suresh from BCIC Japan, Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce, emphasized BCIC’s role in supporting industries across the state. Hon’ble Minister Shri M.B. Patil underscored Karnataka’s potential across diverse sectors such as precision manufacturing, electrical and electronics, auto components, and capital goods manufacturing, citing partnerships with major companies like Sumitomo Mitsui Construction, Mitsubishi Electric, and Toyota Tsusho as indicative of the state’s robust industrial ecosystem.
SMRJ
Minister Shri M.B. Patil conducted a comprehensive meeting with senior executives from SMRJ, including Mr. Tomohiro Kaneko, Executive Vice President; Mr. Masayuki Nakayama, Senior Counselor, International Relations Center; and Mr. Satoshi Uchida, Director, Matching Support Division, where several strategic initiatives were discussed to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Key highlights of the meeting included the signing of an MOU with CII and BCIC to bolster opportunities for the SME sector in India. Plans were outlined for a CEO meeting in August, in collaboration with BCIC, aimed at fostering partnerships between Japanese and Indian SMEs. SMRJ’s extensive network of 26,000 Japanese SMEs was identified as a pivotal resource to facilitate their entry into the Indian market. The meeting also explored potential collaborations for jointly developing and leveraging Karnataka’s training institutes. Opportunities for Japanese SMEs to participate in events such as VDP SME Connect 25 and Global Investor Meet 2025 were discussed, with invitations extended to attend and engage in SME Connect’25. Government of Karnataka also explored partnering with SMRJ for Karnataka’s inaugural Vendor Development Programme – SME Connect’25. SMRJ introduced the J-GoodTech platform to facilitate connections between Indian companies and Japanese SMEs. Discussions also encompassed strategies for business support, risk management, export promotion, and joint research initiatives. Emphasis was placed on expanding business operations in both Japan and India, highlighting market opportunities in sectors such as auto components, aerospace defense, electronics, and food processing.
Renesas Electronics
Minister Shri M.B. Patil held a strategic meeting with Renesas Electronics, engaging with key executives including Charles Kawashima, Vice President of Direct Organization (CEO); Toshihiko Igarashi, Senior Director of Direct Organization (CEO); and Sho Ozaki, Senior Director and Head of Corporate Strategy. Renesas Electronics, currently operating an R&D Center in Bengaluru, explores partnership opportunities with the Karnataka Government to support its future plans. They explored how Karnataka could support these future endeavours, focusing on developing a comprehensive ecosystem and leveraging skilled workforce availability in tier 2 cities like Mysore and Hubli-Dharwad to optimize manufacturing costs. Renesas highlighted their dual focus on mass-market and specialized solutions, particularly in the burgeoning electric vehicle sector, underscoring their significant market share. The meeting also delved into Renesas’ global growth strategy through acquisitions, aiming to enhance technology and user experience. Challenges and opportunities in attracting foreign investments to India were discussed, emphasizing the country’s demographic dividend and robust infrastructure advantages.