Japan's Ambassador to India Keiichi Ono and Japan's Minister of Economic and Development Affairs Koyoko Hokugo met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Friday.

During the meeting, the Ambassador highlighted Japan's intent to deepen ties with the state and appreciated Gujarat government's support to over 350 Japanese companies operating here, said a government release.

"The CM told the delegation that Gujarat offers a supportive environment with Japanese townships, restaurants, and industries. He also highlighted Japan's active participation in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit," the release said.

Patel also mentioned that all MoUs signed during the 2017 Indo-Japan Annual Summit in Gandhinagar attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have been successfully implemented, it said.

The Japanese Ambassador particularly emphasised the role of Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) in the growth of semiconductor industries and expressed his country's commitment to leveraging its expertise in this sector for Gujarat's benefit, the release said.

"He said many Japanese semiconductor companies are eager to invest in Dholera. In this regard, the delegation requested the Chief Minister to further strengthen the facilities for industrial infrastructure, social infrastructure, and human resource development," the release said.

CM Patel said his government gives priority to the semiconductor sector and is also working with a commitment to provide all the required world-class infrastructure facilities within a defined timeline.

"The Ambassador of Japan also shared details about a survey being conducted by Japan's Mizuho Bank in Dholera and Japan's semiconductor parks to explore how the best possible ecosystem for the semiconductor sector can be developed. On this, the Chief Minister said the survey will prove useful in building a bright future for semiconductor industries and establishing Gujarat as a semiconductor hub," it added.

Ono, while expressing Japan's companies' interest in electric vehicle manufacturing in Gujarat, also advocated for accelerating the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High-Speed Rail Corridor, popularly called the bullet train project, through cooperation, the release said.