Nobel Laureate Takaaki Kajita urges Japan to learn from India’s innovation leap

Japanese Nobel laureate Takaaki Kajita has praised India’s remarkable progress in research and innovation, urging Japan to take note of the country’s rapid advancements. Speaking at the international conference on 'India-Japan Next Generation Science and Technology Partnership: Academic and Research,' hosted jointly by Chandigarh University and the University of Tokyo, Kajita highlighted India’s impressive rise in the Global Innovation Index (GII) from 91st in 2014 to 38th in 2024.

Kajita, who won the Nobel Prize in 2015 for his work on neutrino oscillations, credited this growth to the Modi government’s strategic focus on research and development (R&D). “India’s rapid advancement in the Global Innovation Index has surprised the world. Japan should learn from India how the government should prioritize R&D,” he said.

During his recent visit to Japan, PM Modi emphasized the importance of combining Indian talent with Japanese technology to drive the next-generation tech revolution. In support of this vision, Kajita and 20 leading Japanese scientists signed a resolution to strengthen Indo-Japanese collaboration in science and technology, aiming to leverage mutual strengths to boost innovation and future advancements.

The conference underlined the importance of joint research initiatives between the two nations, with potential applications in cutting-edge technologies and industry sectors, including steel. Kazuo Mike Fujisawa, Representative of the Japan Iron & Steel Federation, had earlier noted that many Japanese steel companies are exploring opportunities in India, citing the country’s growing steel production and rising per capita consumption.

India’s ascent in global innovation rankings underscores its increasing stature in science and technology, positioning it as a significant partner for Japan in collaborative research and development.