The office of the consul-general of Japan in Calcutta has lined up several initiatives over the next two months to promote Indo-Japan relations, with a particular focus on Bengal.

These initiatives include organising food and cultural festivals, hosting discussions and conferences with Indians who have studied in Japan, employees working with several Japanese enterprises and arranging educational exchange programs between Japanese universities and Visva-Bharati's Nippon Bhavana.

The series of events will take place in September and October as part of the "Japan Month" event.

"We have planned many events aimed at strengthening the bond between Japan and India, particularly Bengal. Japan has strong ties with Bengal, as notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore, and patriots like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Rash Behari Bose, have visited our country. The Japanese have an affinity for fish and rice, much like the Bengalis. Therefore, we are keen to further strengthen our connection with this eastern state of India," said Nakagawa Koichi, the consul-general of Japan in Calcutta.

Rabindranath Tagore visited Japan five times between 1916 and 1929 and expressed his admiration for Japanese culture and rituals in his travelogue, "Japan Jatri."

Netaji visited Tokyo in May 1943 to seek support from the Japanese premier. Rash Behari Bose fled to Japan to escape capital punishment and spent the rest of his life there.

On Saturday afternoon, consul-general Nakagawa presented a "Certificate of Commendation" on behalf of the Japanese consulate to Gita A. Keeni, the head of Visva-Bharati's Japanese department, for her contributions to strengthening Indo-Japan relations.

"I am overwhelmed to receive such appreciation for my work in my academic career from the Japanese consulate in Calcutta," Keeni said at the event, which was held at Nakagawa's Ballygunge residence.