Odisha and Japan's Tottori Prefecture sign friendship agreement to boost ties
The pact aims to expand economic, cultural, and educational cooperation through startup collaboration and skill development initiatives.
The Odisha government and Japan’s Tottori Prefecture signed a friendship agreement on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, to strengthen cooperation in industry, entrepreneurship, skill development, tourism, and culture. The agreement was formalised at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Tottori Prefecture Governor Shinji Hirai, according to reports by Pragativadi, Hindustan Times, and The Times of India.
The event was attended by an 80-member Japanese delegation representing industrial leaders, technical institutions, banks, and trade executives. Governor Hirai led the delegation, which included a visit to the World Skill Center (WSC) in Bhubaneswar to inspect the state's skill ecosystem.
Two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to implement the agreement. One MoU between Startup Odisha and Tottori Prefecture aims to foster investor connectivity, joint product development, and business-to-business networks. A second MoU between the WSC, Tottori Prefecture, and Nihon Edutech focuses on providing vocational training in manufacturing and nursing care to create employment pathways for Odia youth in Japan.
Chief Minister Majhi noted that major Japanese companies, including Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, Indo Nissin, Krosaki, TYK, Yokohama, IHI, and Toray, have already invested in Odisha. He stated the partnership should result in business collaborations, student exchanges, and stronger tourism ties.
Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the collaboration would integrate industrial cooperation with skill development. MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik added that Odisha's enterprises could explore technology partnerships and market access through the agreement.