TITLE: Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Signs Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Memorandum with India
BODY:
On June 26, 2026, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of India to strengthen bilateral collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The MoC was announced on July 2, 2026, during the Japan-India Summit Meeting held in New Delhi, where Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The MoC establishes a framework for deepening cooperation between Japan and India across business, human resources, and information exchange in the AI sector. The governments have committed to three primary areas of collaboration: expanding matching opportunities for Japanese and Indian companies operating in AI; providing support for business expansion by Japanese and Indian companies into each other's markets; and providing employment information to AI professionals seeking employment opportunities in either country. These initiatives aim to facilitate cross-border investment, talent mobility, and knowledge sharing between the two nations' AI industries.
Alongside the government-level MoC, 15 memoranda of understanding and similar agreements were signed between Japanese and Indian companies in the AI field, demonstrating substantial private sector engagement in the bilateral partnership. The cooperation reflects both governments' commitment to leveraging AI capabilities and fostering economic growth through enhanced technological collaboration. METI's AI Industry Strategy Office, IT Industry Division, and Commerce and Information Policy Bureau are responsible for implementing the memorandum.