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In the pipeline: Japan desk at Invest UP, research tie-ups on semi-conductors, green hydrocarbons
The Uttar Pradesh government is eying major collaborations with Japan in the area of research on semiconductors and green hydrogen manufacturing and supplying workforce for construction and health care sectors to the East Asian nation, officials said.
The developments were underlined during the recent visits of two delegations to Japan — one led by Finance, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna and another by Chief Minister's adviser Avaneesh Kumar Awasthi, it is learnt. These delegations interacted with not just industry leaders but also a mayoral delegation.
Sources said if things go as planned, the state government in collaboration with different industries in Japan will have a centre for excellence for green hydrogen research backed by IIT Kanpur, IIT-BHU and Clean Energy Research Centre of University, Yamanashi; an EV motor generator plant in Gautam Buddha Nagar, a bio-innovation pharma cluster, a recyclable plastic project in Gorakhpur.
The delegation led by Khanna, which camped in Japan from July 20 to July 26, to showcase UP in different sectors at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, comprised Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary, Infrastructure and Industrial Development, Amit Singh, Secretary to Chief Minister and Vipin Kumar Jain, Special Secretary to Chief Minister.
An official, who was part of the delegation, said their focus was on seeking collaborations in manufacturing, green energy, digital innovation as well as cultural heritage and promotion of One District One Product (ODOP) items.
The second delegation led by Awasthi participated in strategic engagements in Tokyo, Osaka, and Yamanashi from July 27 to 31. 'During the visit to Yamanashi Prefecture, the delegation explored potential cooperation in green hydrogen production, aligning with Japan's Basic Hydrogen Strategy. Further, Invest UP is actively working to establish a centre of excellence on green hydrogen in the state, with IIT Kanpur and IIT-BHU being considered as key academic partners,' said an official.
The idea is to bring together government, academia, and industry for joint research, knowledge exchange and skill development in the sector and that Invest UP along with UPNEDA is working on facilitating technology transfer through partnerships with Yamanashi Prefecture government and leading Japanese firms, officials noted.
The delegation visited Suntory Hakshu Distillery to study Japan's largest 16 MW power-to-gas (P2G) green hydrogen electrolyser to adopt such technology through policy interventions and strategic collaboration with public and private stakeholders, they added.
Also, the UP government is eying investments in semi-conductor and electronic equipment manufacturing in the state and that the delegation during its interaction with the Japanese industry highlighted the state's semi-conductor, investment promotion and Foreign Direct Investment policies, it has been learnt.
'The delegation met Tokyo Electron Ltd (TEL), a global leader in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing equipment. During interactions, UP was showcased as an ideal destination for high-end manufacturing, R&D, and electronics assembly hub. Discussions focusing on logistics infrastructure in Noida and Greater Noida, R&D collaborations and workforce skilling took place,' the officials informed.
The delegations also explored investments in the areas of food processing, data centres and EVs besides promoting Buddhist Circuit as a cultural tie-up between the two countries.
The delegations met the representatives of Mitsui & Co. Ltd, one of Japan's largest conglomerates, extending an invitation for strategic partnerships in semiconductors, logistics, digital services, energy, and urban infrastructure. Discussions on investment in EV, defence, clean energy and high-tech electronics, especially in rare earth magnet fabrication also took place with officials of Tanaka Electric Co Ltd, known for rare earth materials and high-precision magnetics, it is learnt.
The UP delegations held talks with the Kansai Pharmaceutical Industries Association (KPIA), a consortium of over 300 pharmaceutical and biotech firms. The discussion focused on exploring not just joint R&D but also clinical trials, diagnostics and medical devices.
'Deliberations have also taken place on the proposed development of a bio-innovation cluster in UP, modeled on Japanese frameworks,' an official said.
The delegations signed an MOU with DENSO Corporation, to set up a motor generator plant for EVs in Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL) is believed to have expressed intent to set up semiconductor operations and GCCs in UP. Discussion took place on land allocation for a CBG plant in Badaun district with Suzuki Motor Corporation. Deliberations were also held with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation for opening a branch in Noida.
It was during the discussion with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation that the suggestion to establish a 'Japan Desk at Invest UP' came up.
An MOU was signed with Jent Company Ltd to set up a recyclable plastic project in Gorakhpur and start its operations in 2026.
