Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Ishiba, embarked on a Shinkansen bullet train journey from Tokyo to Sendai on Saturday, August 30, 2025, marking a significant moment in PM Modi's two-day visit to Japan. This journey served not only as a symbol of the strong bilateral relationship between India and Japan but also as an opportunity to discuss key projects and collaborations, particularly in the field of high-speed rail technology.
During the journey, Prime Minister Ishiba shared glimpses of their interaction on his X account, formerly known as Twitter, reflecting the camaraderie and collaboration between the two leaders. PM Modi also engaged with Indian train drivers who are currently undergoing specialized training at the East Japan Railway Company, highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries in high-speed rail technology and skill development.
The bullet train ride to Sendai was reminiscent of a similar experience PM Modi had with then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2016. This time, the destination was Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, where PM Modi and PM Ishiba were scheduled to visit a semiconductor factory and inspect the Tohoku Shinkansen factory of the East Japan Railway Company. These visits underscored the focus on enhancing cooperation in manufacturing and technology between the two nations.
One of the key topics of discussion during the visit was the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shinkansen project, a 508-km high-speed rail project launched in 2017 with Japanese funding and technology. The project, though facing delays, is expected to be completed in 2028-29. Japan has also agreed to provide India with two Shinkansen bullet trains by 2026 and introduce its next-generation E10 trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad line by 2030, further solidifying their partnership in railway infrastructure.
The collaboration extends beyond just high-speed rail. India and Japan are also working closely on economic security, which includes semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and clean energy. PM Modi's visit included a tour of a new semiconductor wafer fabrication plant being developed by Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) of Taiwan, in partnership with SBI Holdings and Japanese stakeholders. This facility represents Japan's effort to revive its chip-making industry and signifies stronger ties with India in technology, supply chain resilience, and investment opportunities.
This visit, which is PM Modi's eighth to Japan and his first Annual Summit with PM Ishiba, underscores the deep strategic partnership between the two nations. During the summit, the leaders are expected to review cooperation in defense and security, trade and economy, technology and innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. They are also expected to discuss regional and global issues, reinforcing the shared vision between India and Japan. The two sides are set to release a joint statement, as well as the "2035 Vision Statement" for the future of their relationship, upgrading the "2025 Vision Statement" announced a decade ago.
