AIZAWL, March 7 - Japan is eager to extend greater support to Mizoram, especially in the fields of agriculture, irrigation and road development, said Japanese Ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu.
Hiramatsu, who is on a maiden visit to Mizoram, called on Chief Minister Zoramthanga today and discussed the possibility of more cooperation between Japan and Mizoram.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Hiramatsu said he held a discussion with the Chief Minister on the ongoing projects under the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Mizoram and extension of more support to the State. He also said that Japan would work on improving the 380-km national highway between Aizawl and Tuipang (Tipa) in Siaha district of south Mizoram. The Japanese Government will also construct a bypass to the national highway, the Ambassador said.
In 2016, the JICA had extended a Rs 4,000-crore loan to India to improve two national highways in Mizoram and Meghalaya � the NH-54 between Aizawl and Tuipang in Mizoram, and the 40-km NH-51 between Tura and Dalu in Meghalaya.
The Japanese Ambassador said that he also discussed the possibility of maximum utilisation of bamboo, which is abundantly available in Mizoram.
Sticking to the MoU signed with the Mizoram Government in 2016, he said the JICA would continue to extend support for capacity enhancement for sustainable development of agriculture and irrigation.
Hiramatsu stressed the importance of people-to-people contact between Mizoram and Japan, especially among the younger generation. He added that he had asked Chief Minister Zoramthanga to explore the possibility of establishing a centre for learning the Japanese language in Mizoram.
The Japanese Ambassador said his Government was ready to extend technical help to Mizoram to tackle natural disasters, especially landslides. Experts from Japan may be sent to Mizoram to study the terrain and land structure and explore the possibility of utilising Japanese technology here.
Hiramatsu said that Mizoram has a lot of potential in eco-tourism, adding that mutual cooperation is strategically important in developing this potential.
