Mizuho India Japan Study Centre celebrates the 8th Foundation Day on 16 September 2025
New publications and programmes showcase the Centre’s growing role in India–Japan partnership
16 September, 2025, Bengaluru: The Mizuho India Japan Study Centre (MIJSC), a Centre of Excellence at IIM Bangalore, celebrated its 8th Foundation Day on 16 September 2025, bringing together distinguished leaders from academia, industry, and policy to reflect on the evolving dynamics of India–Japan collaboration. The theme of this year was ‘Connect, Explore, and Develop.’
Prof. Jaideep Sarkar, Chairperson, MIJSC, and faculty of the Entrepreneurship area at IIMB, delivered the welcome address, underscoring the Centre’s vision to strengthen business, academic, and cultural ties between India and Japan.
In his reflections, Mr. Saideep Rathnam, Chief Operating Officer, MIJSC, spoke about the significance of the Centre entering its eighth year. He drew on the symbolism of balance and resilience represented by Hachiko, noting that “The number eight reminds us of outward balance and continuity. As MIJSC, we see this year as one of building bridges, where our initiatives expand outward while staying rooted in trust and loyalty, much like the Hachiko spirit.”
Addressing the gathering, Professor Dinesh Kumar, Director In-charge, IIM Bangalore, acknowledged the growing impact of the Centre’s work in strengthening the India–Japan partnership. He illustrated his remarks with a personal reflection, noting, “Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication. In our collaborations with Japan, we find that the essence of sophistication lies in the pursuit of simplicity, whether in technology, design, or human relations.”
The Guest of Honor, Prof. Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, delivered an insightful address linking the history of India–Japan relations to new opportunities in energy, the digital economy, and industry collaboration. He pointed to Japan’s strong manufacturing expertise and India’s thriving startup ecosystem as complementary strengths. “For India and Japan to truly succeed together, it is not just government and industry partnerships that matter, but also the everyday connections we build between our people, our students, and our entrepreneurs, he stressed.”
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Sandeep Singh, Managing Director, Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery, Co. Ltd, India, who spoke of the importance of mutual respect, trust, and adaptability in building successful partnerships. He shared examples of technology transfer and cultural synergy in manufacturing and encouraged deeper collaborations in green energy and digital transformation. “India offers the energy of youth and entrepreneurship, while Japan brings the wisdom of technology and precision together; this partnership can redefine industries,” he noted.
The celebrations were further marked by the screening of a milestone video, highlighting MIJSC’s journey over the past year, its achievements, collaborations, and impact in fostering India–Japan dialogue across academia, industry, and culture.
The Foundation Day also featured the unveiling of six key publications and initiatives, highlighting MIJSC’s growing role as a hub for India–Japan dialogue. The launches included Studying India–Japan Connects, Volume 4; the MIJSC Brochure 2025; Kizuna Sabha; the seasonal newsletter Akari; the Lean Agile Programme (LAP); the JLCC Brochure 2025 with its Hybrid Japanese Learners Programme and Hybrid Conversational Japanese Programme; and the updated Lean Manufacturing Practices (LMP) brochure along with the Lean Manufacturing Transformation (LMT) initiative. All six releases were carried out by MIJSC leadership and distinguished dignitaries, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to fostering collaboration across business, culture, and academia between India and Japan.
A cultural performance in association with the Indo-Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Karnataka (IJCCI) concluded the Foundation Day celebrations. The program featured artists Hisae Tsuji (Veena), Siddhanth Kalkur (Flute), Poornima Prasad (Veena), and Shamith Kalkur (Mrudanga), presenting a classical recital that reflected the shared traditions and spirit of collaboration between India and Japan.
Mizuho India Japan Study Centre celebrates the 8th Foundation Day on 16 September 2025
New publications and programmes showcase the Centre’s growing role in India–Japan partnership
16 September, 2025, Bengaluru: The Mizuho India Japan Study Centre (MIJSC), a Centre of Excellence at IIM Bangalore, celebrated its 8th Foundation Day on 16 September 2025, bringing together distinguished leaders from academia, industry, and policy to reflect on the evolving dynamics of India–Japan collaboration. The theme of this year was ‘Connect, Explore, and Develop.’
Prof. Jaideep Sarkar, Chairperson, MIJSC, and faculty of the Entrepreneurship area at IIMB, delivered the welcome address, underscoring the Centre’s vision to strengthen business, academic, and cultural ties between India and Japan.
In his reflections, Mr. Saideep Rathnam, Chief Operating Officer, MIJSC, spoke about the significance of the Centre entering its eighth year. He drew on the symbolism of balance and resilience represented by Hachiko, noting that “The number eight reminds us of outward balance and continuity. As MIJSC, we see this year as one of building bridges, where our initiatives expand outward while staying rooted in trust and loyalty, much like the Hachiko spirit.”
Addressing the gathering, Professor Dinesh Kumar, Director In-charge, IIM Bangalore, acknowledged the growing impact of the Centre’s work in strengthening the India–Japan partnership. He illustrated his remarks with a personal reflection, noting, “Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication. In our collaborations with Japan, we find that the essence of sophistication lies in the pursuit of simplicity, whether in technology, design, or human relations.”
The Guest of Honor, Prof. Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, delivered an insightful address linking the history of India–Japan relations to new opportunities in energy, the digital economy, and industry collaboration. He pointed to Japan’s strong manufacturing expertise and India’s thriving startup ecosystem as complementary strengths. “For India and Japan to truly succeed together, it is not just government and industry partnerships that matter, but also the everyday connections we build between our people, our students, and our entrepreneurs, he stressed.”
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Sandeep Singh, Managing Director, Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery, Co. Ltd, India, who spoke of the importance of mutual respect, trust, and adaptability in building successful partnerships. He shared examples of technology transfer and cultural synergy in manufacturing and encouraged deeper collaborations in green energy and digital transformation. “India offers the energy of youth and entrepreneurship, while Japan brings the wisdom of technology and precision together; this partnership can redefine industries,” he noted.
The celebrations were further marked by the screening of a milestone video, highlighting MIJSC’s journey over the past year, its achievements, collaborations, and impact in fostering India–Japan dialogue across academia, industry, and culture.
The Foundation Day also featured the unveiling of six key publications and initiatives, highlighting MIJSC’s growing role as a hub for India–Japan dialogue. The launches included Studying India–Japan Connects, Volume 4; the MIJSC Brochure 2025; Kizuna Sabha; the seasonal newsletter Akari; the Lean Agile Programme (LAP); the JLCC Brochure 2025 with its Hybrid Japanese Learners Programme and Hybrid Conversational Japanese Programme; and the updated Lean Manufacturing Practices (LMP) brochure along with the Lean Manufacturing Transformation (LMT) initiative. All six releases were carried out by MIJSC leadership and distinguished dignitaries, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to fostering collaboration across business, culture, and academia between India and Japan.
A cultural performance in association with the Indo-Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Karnataka (IJCCI) concluded the Foundation Day celebrations. The program featured artists Hisae Tsuji (Veena), Siddhanth Kalkur (Flute), Poornima Prasad (Veena), and Shamith Kalkur (Mrudanga), presenting a classical recital that reflected the shared traditions and spirit of collaboration between India and Japan.