Indo-Japan Friendship Ignites Gujarat
GOLDFEST 2026 Indo-Japan friendship strengthens Gujarat’s proud Mini-Japan vision
Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat hosted GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION WELCOME RECEPTION
Delegations from SHIZUOKA Prefecture & HAMAMATSU City PARTICIPATED IN THE GOLDFEST 2026: Kites, Music and Matcha took the Centre Stage
The Indo-Japan Friendship Association of Gujarat (IJFA) has enjoyed unique recognition and goodwill over five decades, pioneering the Vision and Mission of making Gujarat the “Mini-Japan of India.” The Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat, proudly launched its Golden Jubilee Celebrations titled “GOLDFEST” to mark 50 momentous years. This Golden Jubilee is part of a five-day Japan-focused cultural festival taking place from 10 to 14 January 2026 at key venues in Ahmedabad, with the theme “Kem Chhe – Konnichiwa” to connect Gujarati warmth with Japanese greetings.
Visit of Delegations from Shizuoka Prefecture & Hamamatsu City, Japan
The Vice Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Mr. Hiraki Sho and the Mayor of Hamamatsu City Mr. Yusuke Nakano led delegations from Japan to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat; the First Anniversary of Friendships between Shizuoka-Gujarat and Hamamatsu-Ahmedabad; and to mark the Signing of MOU for Economic Cooperation between the Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry. These delegations are also building on agreements signed during Gujarat–Shizuoka Partnership Day in Gandhinagar in 2024, where leaders from both sides pledged closer work in business, skills, mobility and people exchange.
To mark 50 momentous years IJFA Gujarat hosted a formal Golden Jubilee Celebration Welcome Reception at AMA. Distinguished guests Ambassador Sujan Chinoy (Former Ambassador of India to Japan and Director General, Institute of Defence Studies & Analyses; Honorary Advisory Patron); Mr. Koji Yagi (Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai); Mr. Kinji Saito (Director of Suzuki Motors Corporation, Japan); Mr. Kaoru Saito (Chairman, The Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce & Industry); Mr. Masato Oshiki (Managing Executive Officer, Yamaha Corporation); Mr. Taketoshi Yamamoto (Managing Director, Yamaha Music India Pvt. Ltd); Mr. Taichi Okamoto (Manager, India Division, Suzuki Motors Corporation, Japan); Mr. Binay Kumar (Chairman, Indian Community of Hamamatsu); Mr. Mukesh Patel (President of IJFA and Honorary Consul of Japan in Ahmedabad, Gujarat); Mr. Yatindra Sharma (Chairman of the Economic Cooperation Council, IJFA Gujarat); and Mr. Mohal Sarabhai (Vice-President of AMA) joined the celebration. The reception followed the opening of a special Japanese kite exhibition, showcasing Hamamatsu’s traditional kites and lanterns as symbols of friendship with Ahmedabad.
To commemorate the First Anniversary of the Gujarat-Shizuoka Sister State Partnership, the Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat in collaboration with Shizuoka Prefecture; IJ Kakehashi Services Pvt Ltd and Hotel Hyatt Regency hosted “O-Cha Utsav” and prepared a special Matcha Cake and facilitated a unique Japanese Green Tea (authentic Sencha) as a celebration of flavours and friendship, bridging the culinary cultures of Shizuoka and Gujarat through the traditional art of tea. The Vice Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Mr. Hiraki Sho said, “The initiative aims to raise awareness about incorporating green tea into daily diets to promote holistic health and living.” At the workshop, chefs and tea experts guided guests through live demonstrations on making matcha and sencha, helping local participants understand how Japanese tea can blend with Gujarati food habits in simple, daily ways.
To commemorate the First Anniversary of the Hamamatsu-Ahmedabad Relationship, the Hon’ble Mayor of Hamamatsu Mr. Yusuke Nakano led a special delegation of 15 expert Kite flyers from Hamamatsu, the “Kite Capital of Japan” to celebrate the unique cultural event PATANG-O-DORI i.e. Japanese Kite Flying Demonstration based on the theme “Dancing in the Sky with Amdavadi Patang!” Japanese Kite flyers demonstrated their traditional Japanese kite-flying techniques featuring the launch of 3 metres colourful Japanese Tako kites flown by rope accompanied by traditional bugles and dancers in Happy Coats in the fusion with Folk Dancers and Folk Music of Gujarat. Hamamatsu is famous for its own kite battles held every May and even has a dedicated kite museum, making this exchange a natural cultural bridge with Ahmedabad’s world‑famous Uttarayan festival.
Signing of MOU for Economic Cooperation between HCCI and GCCI
Recognising the longstanding spirit of friendship and co-operation between Gujarat and Shizuoka building upon the Sister State Partnership, the Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (HCCI) and the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) signed MOU of Economic Co-operation to formalise the Sister City Partnership between Ahmedabad and Hamamatsu. Mr. Kaoru Saito, Chairman of HCCI, and Mr. Rajesh Gandhi, Senior Vice President of GCCI said that, “The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry represents Gujarat, one of India’s leading industrial and entrepreneurial states, while the Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry stands as a cornerstone of Japan’s industrial innovation within Shizuoka Prefecture.” This understanding is expected to promote joint work in fields like manufacturing, micro e‑mobility, skill training and SME partnerships, adding a strong economic pillar to the cultural events of GOLDFEST 2026.
Yamaha Brand Ambassadors and Music Maestros of International Repute Presented Sangeet Symphony at the GOLD FEST CONCERT
Hamamatsu enjoys the acclaim as Asia’s First City to be designated as UNESCO Creative City of Music (in 2014). IJFA Gujarat in collaboration with Yamaha Corporation (HQ in Hamamatsu), Yamaha Music India Pvt. Ltd., hosted the unique musical evening with the GOLD FEST CONCERT called Sangeet Symphony (Nihon-no-Ongaku) – a symphony of friendship Inspired by the City of Music Hamamatsu. The concert featured Yamaha Brand Ambassadors and internationally acclaimed artists Ms. Nandini Shankar (A third-generation violin virtuoso known for the Gayaki Ang-Technique); Mr. Nise Meruno (Pianist and vocalist from Nagaland, bridging western classical traditions with Northeast Indian heritage); Mr. Dipanjan Chatterjee (Keyboardist performing renditions blending Bollywood and Gujarati melodies); Mr. Shigenobu Namikawa (Saxophonist performing a tribute uniting the Indian and Japanese National Anthems). Artists from ‘PANAM SHROFF Academy of Music’ and ‘Khandekars School of Music’ presented Fusion Melodies. It was based on a unique fusion of Indian and Japanese musical traditions, symbolising the deep-rooted harmony between the two regions. Hamamatsu’s standing in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and its role as home to global brands like Yamaha, added a strong music identity to the festival and inspired workshops and interactions with local students in Ahmedabad.
PATANG-O-DORI (Japanese Kite Flying Demonstration): Dancing in the Sky with Amdavadi Patang!
To mark the first anniversary of the Hamamatsu – Ahmedabad Sister City Partnership and 50 years of vibrant bonding between Gujarat and Japan, the unique cultural event PATANG-O-DORI will be held on the morning of Uttarayan (Wednesday, 14th January, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon) at the Shreyas Foundation. Distinguished Guests Ambassador Sujan Chinoy (Former Ambassador of India to Japan; Director General, IDSA); Mr. Hiraki Sho (Vice Governor, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan); Mr. Yusuke Nakano (Mayor, Hamamatsu City, Japan); Ms. Pratibha Jain (Mayor of Ahmedabad); Mr. Koji Yagi (Consul General of Japan in Mumbai); Mr. Umang Thakkar: Chairman (Patang Hotel); Mr. Abhay Mangaldas (Founder, The House of MG & Agashiye) will join the Kite Flying Celebration. The event aims to turn the sky over Shreyas Foundation into a shared canvas where Japanese Tako kites and Amdavadi patangs fly together, sending a clear message that friendship between cities can be joyful, visible and close to citizens.
The GOLDFEST 2026 is inspired by the Honorary Consulate of Japan in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and supported by the Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Ahmedabad Management Association, Japanese Association Ahmedabad, Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Yamaha Corporation. Key partners include Shizuoka Prefecture, Hamamatsu City, Yamaha Music India Pvt Ltd; Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad, IJ Kakehashi Services Pvt Ltd; Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI); Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Shreyas Foundation, Patang Hotel, Agashiye / The House of MG; Status Inc.; City Heritage Foundation, Dehgam Taluka Education Society, JadeBlue, Khandekars, Panam Shroff Academy of Music. Together, these partners are using kites, music, tea, business dialogue and youth engagement to show that Indo‑Japanese ties now reach from government halls and boardrooms to school playgrounds, concert stages and the open winter sky of Ahmedabad.
