On October 3, 2024, we gathered to celebrate a momentous occasion—the inauguration of the new Tokyo office of the Indian Commerce and Industry Association Japan (ICIJ). It was an immense honor to welcome our esteemed friends from India and Japan as we embarked on this exciting new chapter in our journey. Among them were Hon. Mr Kato Katsunobo, Minister of Finance; H.E. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan; Hon. Mr Kazuyoshi Akaba, Member of the House of Representatives; Hon. Mr Natsuo Yamaguchi, Member of the House of Councilor's and Hon. Mr Kiyoto Tsuji, Member of the House of Representatives.
On behalf of all the members and directors, we extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to everyone who attended.
Since its establishment in 1921, ICIJ’s office was originally based in Yokohama, where our journey began. To honor ICIJ’s rich 100-year history, we have retained the Yokohama office address in our official company registration (Tohon).
The opening of the new office in Tokyo is a reflection of our ongoing mission to serve the business communities of India and Japan. Centrally located near key landmarks such as the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Bank of Japan, Tokyo Station, and the Embassy of India, this office is equipped with state-of-the-art digital connectivity to economic, cultural, and governmental institutions in India.
The new facility features a multipurpose event hall with high-quality audio-visual equipment designed to cater especially to economic, cultural, and political delegations visiting from India. This hall will also provide space for Japanese and Indian startups. An online real-time system has been installed to provide the latest Indian economic statistics and other information in Japanese, connecting regional Indo-Japanese friendship associations and other institutions.
The inauguration ceremony commenced with a tape-cutting ceremony led by distinguished dignitaries, comprising:
H.E. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan
Hon. Mr Saito Takeshi, Mayor of Edogawa
Hon. Mr Yukio Hattori, Mayor of Taito
Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director of Suzuki Motors
Mr. Ryuko Hira, Chairman, ICIJ
Mr. Shigehisha Shina was recognized for his dedication and exceptional craftsmanship in the construction of the ICIJ Hall.
The event concluded with a grand buffet featuring a variety of exquisite Indian and Japanese dishes, allowing guests to celebrate this new milestone in a convivial atmosphere.
The inauguration of the Tokyo office marks a renewed commitment to strengthening the partnership between India and Japan. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to serving our members and the broader community more effectively from our new location.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this significant event. Together, we look forward to building a vibrant future of collaboration and growth.
A SERENE PICTURE OF BUDDHA IN A MEDITATIVE POSE GRACES THE ENTRANCE OF THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
MAP OF INDIA DISPLAYED AT ENTRANCE OF THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE,
3rd OCTOBER 2024.
A VISUAL CHRONICLE OF ICIJ'S HISTORY AND PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN THE JAPAN-INDIA RELATIONSHIP, CELEBRATING KEY DATES AND MILESTONES THAT HAVE STRENGTHENED THE BOND BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO JAPAN, H.E. SIBI GEORGE, ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY, HON. MR KATO KATSUNOBU, MINISTER OF FINANCE; HON. MR KIYOTO TSUJI, STATE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS; HON. MR SAITO TAKESHI, MAYOR OF EDOGAWA, AND HON. MR YUKIO HATTORI, MAYOR OF TAITO, GRACING THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY WITH THEIR PRESENCE,
3rd OCTOBER 2024
HON. MR KATO KATSUNOBU, MINISTER OF FINANCE, ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
THE DISTINGUISHED ASSEMBLY AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY, COMPRISED OF PARLIAMENTARIANS, EMINENT DIGNITARIES AND LEADERS OF JAPAN-INDIA INSTITUTIONS, UNITED IN CELEBRATION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW TOKYO OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
PRESIDENT OF ICIJ, MR. J.S CHANDRANI PRESENTING A CITATION OF GRATITUDE TO MR. SHIGEHISHA SHINA OF STAC CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CONSTRUCTION OF THE ICIJ HALL, IN RECOGNITION OF HIS DEDICATION AND EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
(L to R) HON. MR YUKIO HATTORI, MAYOR OF TAITO CITY; HON. MR SAITO TAKESHI, MAYOR OF EDOGAWA CITY; AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO JAPAN, H.E SIBI GEORGE; MR. RYUKO HIRA, CHAIRMAN OF ICIJ AND MR. KENICHI AYUKAWA, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SUZUKI MOTORS, CEREMONIOUSLY POISED TO CUT THE RIBBON TO INAUGURATE THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
HON. MR KAZUYOSHI AKABA, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RAISING HIS GLASS AND CALLING FOR 'KAMPAI' TO MAKE A TOAST FOR SUCCESS OF ICIJ’S NEW TOKYO OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
HON. MR KAZUYOSHI AKABA, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; MR SATISH THYAGARAJAN, PRESIDENT TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES JAPAN; MR RYUKO HIRA, CHAIRMAN, ICIJ; HON. MR NATSUO YAMAGUCHI, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COUNCILLORS AND HON. MS ITO TAKAE, A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COUNCILLORS, TOGETHER IN THE CONVIVIAL ATMOSPHERE DURING BUFFET DINNER,
3rd OCTOBER 2024
HON. MR KAZUYOSHI AKABA, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; MR KENICHI AYUKAWA, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SUZUKI MOTORS; HON. MR. NATSUO YAMAGUCHI, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COUNCILLORS AND MR. NAGAO MASAHIKO, DIRECTOR OF SUZUKI MOTORS, AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
HON. MR SAITO TAKESHI, MAYOR OF EDOGAWA CITY; HON. MR NATSUO YAMAGUCHI, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COUNCILLORS, AND MR. J.S CHANDRANI, PRESIDENT OF ICIJ, TOGETHER AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
MS POPI KURODA, PRESIDENT - CHAIN OF MUMBAI RESTAURANTS; HON. MR NATSUO YAMAGUCHI, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COUNCILLORS; MR J.S CHANDRANI, PRESIDENT OF ICIJ; AND MR VIVEK KOTHARI, PRESIDENT OF ETHNIC DINING INC, TOGETHER AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE,
3rd OCTOBER 2024.
HON. MR NATSUO YAMAGUCHI, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COUNCILLORS; MR. SHIGEHASHI SHIINA AND HON. MR KAZUYOSHI AKABA, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TOGETHER AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024
HON. MR. AISAWA ICHIRO, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ALONG WITH MR. RYUKO HIRA, CHAIRMAN OF ICIJ, AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW TOKYO ICIJ OFFICE, 3rd OCTOBER 2024.
DIRECTORS AND AUDITORS OF ICIJ AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW TOKYO OFFICE.
(FROM LEFT), MR VEERESHKUMAR VEERAPPAN, INTERNAL AUDITOR; MR NATARAJAN SUBRAMANIAM, DIRECTOR; MS POPI KURODA, DIRECTOR; MR J.S. CHANDRANI, PRESIDENT; MR RYUKO HIRA, CHAIRMAN; MR S.K. RANGWANI INTERNAL AUDITOR; MR V. RUPANI, DIRECTOR; AND MR NITIN HINGARH, DIRECTOR, 3rd OCTOBER 2024.