Japan’s new Mantra for NE youths – Yaramaika – “Let’s Do It” spirit

GUWAHATI: In order to motivate youths of the northeastern states of India to go to Japan and work there, Japan has asked them to unleash their potential with Yaramaika’s spirit.

In Japanese dialect popular in Hamamatsu, Yaramaika means “Give it a try or Let’s do it”

“I believe this spirit (Yaramaika) is the second key to unlocking the potentials of the North East,” said Satoshi SUZUKI, Ambassador, the Embassy of Japan in India.

He was addressing the Japan-North Eastern Dialogue “Development of North Eastern Indian Region: Indo-Japan Collaboration for Connectivity, Commerce, Culture, and Conservation” recently.

“My hometown, Hamamatsu City…. has produced a host of entrepreneurs who drove the postwar economic miracle of Japan. Those who started such big companies as HONDA, SUZUKI Motor Corporation, and YAMAHA are all from Hamamatsu City. My hometown bred these energetic entrepreneurs, buoyed with a “give-it-a-try” spirit. I feel a similar vibe existing in the North East,” Ambassador added.

His address laid focus on How can Japan add value to bamboo which is abundant in the North East?  How can Japan further elevate talented human resources in the region?  What should be done in the region when healthcare and sanitation have become so important after COVID-19?

“I wish to see the people of the North East to exhibit the same “give-it-a-try” spirit and take up these challenges in an even bolder manner.”

Ambassador SUZUKI said that only a spirit was not enough, and an eco-system that would nurture and develop talented entrepreneurs was needed.

“In the case of Hamamatsu City, there was a good engineering institute to provide entrepreneurs with academic and intellectual backups. I am aware there are many prestigious higher education institutions in the North Ease.

Ambassador said, “I encourage the people in the North East to think about what their region needs in a similar way…..I would like to emphasize that Japan is also ready to think together with you and with the “Yaramaika” spirit.”

Japan offered to collaborate with the North East to create bamboo value chains, assisting Japanese language courses in the North East so that young talents can find internship or job opportunities in Japan through the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) or the Specified Skilled Worker system.

“We are ready to take up the challenges of healthcare and sanitation in Assam by strengthening its healthcare system and by constructing water and sewage facilities. Protecting the rich natural endowments of the North East can also bring about added value.”

Japan is supporting the conservation of forests in Sikkim, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya and assisting better livelihood of farmers.

Japanese project in Sikkim has led to the designation of Khangchendzonga National Park as the first UNESCO “Mixed Heritage” site of India. This example illustrates how Japan and India can cooperate to make “one plus one” produce “more than two”.

“People-to-People exchanges and intellectual exchanges Taking up challenges will be easier if we have friends to share both the hardship and the joy to overcome it. Another thing I want to see with the “give-it-a-try” spirit is much closer and more frequent exchanges between our peoples.”

Ambassador expected that when the COVID-19 phase was over, youths in the North East will visit Japan.

Japanese Embassy had invited about 100 youths of the North East to Japan for a one-week tour to discover our country. They had visited not only Tokyo but also Hiroshima or Nagasaki. They learned Japanese history and know-how to overcome natural disasters.

“With their experiences in Japan, I hope these youngsters will grow into the core for furthering the future partnership between Japan and the North East. Just a one-week visit to Japan will make big difference in the mind of the Indian youths and ignite their own “let’s -give-it-a try” spirit,” said Satoshi SUZUKI.

The NE youths who had participated in this Embassy program have formed some Japan Friendship Associations in Meghalaya and Nagaland.

Japanese Embassy organized the “Dialogue with State” in Shillong, Meghalaya, in November 2018. This is the outreach program to various States in India.

In the Dialogue held in Meghalaya, Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma participated.

Recently, Ambassador SUZUKI had a chance to talk with the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya in New Delhi, and they shared the potentials of Meghalaya. In Meghalaya, a cherry blossoms festival is held every year. Cherry blossoms are cherished in Japan and their beauty is engraved in their heart.

“I cannot feel it a mere coincidence that cherry blossoms are also cherished in the North East. We have something common deep inside. I am sure we can let “something” bloom through further dialogues,” Ambassador added.

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