Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje called on Vice Governor, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Mr. Nobuhiro Maeda. In a cordial meeting, the Vice Governor said that Tokyo city was willing to share its learnings with others and would be happy to help cities in Rajasthan in urban management. It was decided that JICA shall be consulted in drawing up a program in this regard where experiences of Sewage Management, Urban transportation etc from Tokyo would be studied for adoption in urban centres in Rajasthan.

On a chilly, rain drenched morning, Chief Minister Raje visited the Bureau of Sewerage, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. She was shown around by Shizuo Watanbe, Deputy Director General for Technical Affairs, Bureau of Sewerage and Tsuyoshi Yanagi, Director, Planning & Coordination Divison. She was shown the entire operations including the hi-tec control centre. It was an eye-opener of how sewerage is being treated and the space use compartmentalised to create parking lots, recreation centres and play-grounds above the sedimentation tanks. The recycled water is put through ROs and pumped to amusement centres for children. The sludge after incineration is used to make interlocking tiles, artefacts and momentos. CM Raje commented, it is high time similar initiatives were undertaken in cities in Rajasthan.

Later the same day, the Chief Minister, accompanied by an Indian business delegation, travelled to Nagoya bu Shinkansen – Bullet Train. Japan Rail authorities showed her the features of the trains that travel at speeds upto 320 Km/h and turn around time management.

In Nagoya, Chief Minister attended a reception hosted by the Governor of Aichi Prefecture, Mr. Hideaki Ohmura. In a dignified function, the two leaders discussed the issue of possible twinning of Aichi prefecture  with Rajasthan, Aichi is a major manufacturing centre in Japan and home to majors like Toyota. A number of distinguished leadersm, business persons and academicians spoke on the occasion. Dr. Aya Okada, Professor, School of International Development recalled her fond and long association with India, while Tokuichi Okaya called business persons of the prefecture to look at Rajasthan’s reform agenda and policy statements and consider the stateas an investment destination. Governor, Maeda assured Chief Minister of his whole hearted support in encouraging companies to invest in Rajasthan.

Tokyo, April 8 2015