On July 10, 2025, Japan’s Ambassador, Mr. Keiichi Ono, led a high-level delegation to the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) in India. This visit marked a significant step in enhancing industrial cooperation between India and Japan, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development.
The two-day visit began with a conference session in Ahmedabad on July 9, 2025. This was followed by an on-ground tour of Dholera SIR, where the Japanese delegation met officials from Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL) and the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC). They reviewed the city’s planned infrastructure and facilities, including a water treatment plant, canal front development, and a power substation. A key highlight was the ongoing Tata Electronics semiconductor fabrication plant, which is part of a larger ₹1.54 lakh crore investment in semiconductor-related projects in Gujarat.
During their visit, the delegation also assessed Dholera’s social infrastructure, which includes a multi-specialty hospital, a fire station, integrated schools, a premium guest house, and commercial complexes. These developments aim to create a livable and investor-friendly smart city.
Dholera embodies India’s vision for a developed, self-reliant, and innovation-driven economy by 2047. The city offers multimodal connectivity through the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway and an upcoming greenfield international airport, enhancing its appeal as an industrial hub.
The conference on July 9 featured speeches from key figures, including Ms. Kazuko Sakuma, Resident Executive Officer of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and Mr. Yu Yoshida, Chief Representative of JETRO Ahmedabad. They discussed Japan’s strategic partnership with India and how the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) benefits from Japanese cooperation and investment.
Mr. Rajat Kumar Saini, CEO and MD of NICDC, emphasized the strengthening of bilateral ties during his address. He highlighted that the Dholera SIR, inspired by Japan’s Tokyo-Osaka Corridor, is set to become a model for integrated planning and international cooperation.
The ambassador concluded the conference by praising India’s vision for semiconductors and smart cities, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to supporting India’s economic transformation. The day ended with a networking dinner to foster connections between Indian and Japanese stakeholders.
This visit showcases Dholera’s growing global recognition and its potential as India’s gateway for advanced manufacturing. As India aims to become a global economic and technological leader by 2047, Dholera SIR stands as a model of integrated planning, international collaboration, and future-ready infrastructure.