Additional Chief Secretary K R Jyothilal delivering the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony of the third edition of Japan Mela organised by INJACK at Kochi on Thursday. Consul General of Japan, Takahashi Muneo, Chairman of the Japan Economic Council, Choemon Tanabe, INJACK President Viju Jacob, Vice President K Ellangovan, Secretary Jeevan Sudhakaran and Japan Mela Souvenir Co-ordinator S Ratnakumar are seen as well.
The ongoing tariff turbulence and the resultant global disruption have silver linings for Kerala in profitably associating with Japan in multiple areas, participants at the third edition of the Japan Mela organised by the Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce Kerala Chapter (INJACK) said.
The disruption offers opportunities for Kerala in areas including lithium titanate oxide battery (LTO battery), borrowings in Yen and in various aspects of the tourism sector, particularly health and wellness, experts at the event said.
“Every disruption carries an opportunity within it, and we should capitalise on it. The Trump tariffs are creating major business turmoil, and Kerala should be able to find new opportunities while tackling it. Some of the key components of Kerala’s export basket are marine products, spices and textiles, and Kerala should look at Japan as an alternate market for these goods”, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, K R Jyothilal said.
He said Kerala’s abundant resources of rare earths should be tapped in the emerging field of LTO batteries, and the State can consider a critical mineral corridor. The State already has plans for LTO batteries in buses, which will be cheaper than diesel. Kerala is also the first State in the country that is seriously pursuing an AI-led governance model.
Viju Jacob, INJACK President and Executive Chairman of Synthite Industries said the Japan Mela would explore opportunities in tourism, wellness, maritime, infrastructure, spices and allied products, AI, robotics, IT, start-ups and more areas. He said India and Japan shared technological synergy and aspirations for a sustainable world.
Dr K Ellangovan, Vice President of INJACK and Managing Director of INKEL Ltd, said the quality of tourists visiting Kerala was showing a steady uptick and that there were multiple areas in which Japan and Kerala could associate with each other.
Consul General of Japan, Takahashi Muneo, Chairman of the Japan Economic Council, Choemon Tanabe, INJACK Secretary Jeevan Sudhakaran and Japan Mela Souvenir Co-ordinator S Ratnakumar attended the event.
The event featured panel discussions on tourism and wellness, opportunities in IT and AI in Japan, maritime and infrastructure and spices and allied products.
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Published on October 16, 2025