IMPHAL, March 23 (NNN): “Relation between India and Japan has been improving after seventy years of the outbreak of the World War II”, observed Takeshi Yagi, ambassador of Japan to India while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Battle of Imphal (WWII), 1944.
The inaugural ceremony was held at the Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) auditorium, Imphal today.
The observance of the anniversary was organized jointly by the Manipur Tourism Forum (MTF) and 2nd World War Imphal Campaign Foundation and will continue till June 28.
Takeshi Yagi maintained that Japan was reborn as a dynamic country after the Second World War. Ever since, Japan has been one of the most prosperous countries in Asia which gave the people a peaceful and prosperous life.
Manipur state is one of the historical places for both Japan and the British, Yagi stated and added that it was in Manipur that the strongest battle was fought between the armies of the two nations and the British had to defend themselves hard from the Japanese to win over the war.
Today`s comment of the ambassador of Japan to India came after Japanese Prime Minister Abe had visited India on the occasion of the country’s Republic Day 2014 on January 26.
Meanwhile, Takeshi Yagi had also visited some of the war memorial places and battle fields in Manipur and expressed his appreciation for the government in maintaining them with all attention.
Meanwhile, today`s inaugural function was attended by PC Lawmkunga, state chief secretary, RR Rashmi, additional chief secretary, Dr Rajesh Kumar, principal secretary (Tourism), Dr RK Nimai Singh, commissioner (Arts and Culture) and Dr Th Dhabali Singh, president, MTF as chief guest, guests of honour and president respectively.
PC Lawmkunga advocated for the need to maintain a healthy relation between the two countries of Japan and India, especially Manipur so that prosperity can be furnished through it. He also mentioned the inclusion of events relating to World War II at The Sangai Festival, 2014 (Manipur tourism festival) so that more awareness campaigns can be given to the people of the state as well as the visitors at the festival.
