Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged Japanese companies to double their presence in India within the decade during a visit to Tokyo on Monday [1].

The push for deeper business-to-business cooperation aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations through increased trade, investment, and technology sharing.

Speaking in Tokyo, Goyal said Japanese firms should not only invest but localize their production and establish innovation centers within India [1, 2]. He said the Indian government is actively seeking to expand the corporate footprint of Japanese entities to bolster industrial growth [2].

"The number of Japanese companies operating in India should double this decade," Goyal said [1].

The minister said the Indian market is accessible for foreign investors, suggesting that the regulatory and operational environment is primed for growth [2]. He said the synergy between Japanese technology and Indian market scale could create a significant economic shift for both countries.

"Doors are open 24x7 for Japanese firms to invest in India," Goyal said [2].

The initiative focuses on moving beyond simple trade toward a model of integrated production. By encouraging firms to set up local hubs, India seeks to integrate Japanese precision engineering, and management practices into its own manufacturing ecosystem [1].

This diplomatic and economic outreach occurs as India continues to position itself as a primary alternative for global supply chain diversification. The call for a two-fold increase [1] in the number of Japanese firms reflects a broader strategy to attract high-tech foreign direct investment to support domestic infrastructure and industrialization goals [2].

“The number of Japanese companies operating in India should double this decade.”

This push for localization indicates India's shift from being a mere export destination to a manufacturing hub. By targeting a doubling of Japanese corporate presence, India is attempting to secure long-term technology transfers and stable capital inflows to reduce reliance on other regional supply chains.