Activities & Achievements

Exhibiting at the OTM 2026 International Travel Mart

February 5-7, 2026: Commissioned by the Onna Village Tourism Association, OIFA hosted a booth at the OTM 2026 International Travel Mart held in India, together with the Indian agency "I Love Japan." Over the three days, our booth received approximately 3,000 visitors, and we were able to promote Okinawa Prefecture as a new travel destination in Japan to local travel companies handling outbound travel. Building on this experience, we will continue to pursue further collaboration and actively work to attract tourists from India.

Delegation Visit to India Hosted by the OIFA

February 19-24, 2025: The OIFA hosted a delegation visit to India. The 22 participants included not only our Association but also Okinawa Prefecture, the Mayor of Onna Village, the Chairman of the Onna Village Tourism Association, Okinawa travel companies, and representatives of various economic organizations.

Visiting the SATTE 2025 World Travel Mart and Partnering with Indian Travel Associations

To promote travel between India and Japan and increase inbound visitors to Okinawa, we visited the SATTE 2025 World Travel Mart and held signing ceremonies with the Travel Agents Association of India and the Outbound Tour Operators Association. The ceremonies were covered by the Okinawa Times and by local Indian newspapers.

Agreement with BML Munjal University and Promotion of IT Talent Development

Aiming to develop IT talent in Okinawa, we held a signing ceremony with BML Munjal University in India. We also deepened our understanding of Indian culture and the economy through a JETRO lecture, a visit to the Embassy of Japan in India and an exchange of views with the Okinawa Association of Corporate Executives, and a visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential residence, among other activities.

Visit and Collaboration by the Indian Agency "I Love Japan"

In April, the Indian agency "I Love Japan"-with whom we had interacted at SATTE 2025 during the delegation visit to India-visited Okinawa for the first time. They toured Okinawa, and we held an exchange of views on the creation of travel products connecting India and Okinawa. We will continue to actively collaborate going forward.

Second Visit to Okinawa by Ambassador of India Sibi George

In July, H.E. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, visited Okinawa for the second time. He paid courtesy calls on the Governor of Okinawa, the Speaker of the Prefectural Assembly, the Mayor of Naha, and the Mayor of Okinawa City. During this visit, he laid flowers at the National Cemetery for the War Dead of Okinawa in the Peace Memorial Park and viewed the Cornerstone of Peace; he also toured the Okinawa Zoo and Museum (Okinawa Children's Land), the National Theatre Okinawa, Kogei no Mori (the Crafts Forest), and Ishigaki Island, experiencing Okinawa's history and traditional culture. At Okinawa International University, we arranged lectures and exchange sessions with students.

Lecture and Exchange of Views at the Welcome Reception

At the welcome reception, he delivered a lecture on the relationship between Japan and India and its future, and a wide-ranging exchange of views was held on the possibilities ahead.

Visit to Okinawa by Deans and Representatives from BML Munjal University and IT Talent Exchange

In August, we welcomed four people, including a dean, from BML Munjal University-which we had visited during the February 2025 delegation visit-to Okinawa. They visited a total of ten universities and companies in Okinawa, and we held an exchange of views on IT talent exchange. Collaboration has already begun with some of the universities and companies following this visit, giving us high hopes for future developments.

Staging of the Music and Dance Drama "Ramayana"

In February 2024, an India-Bali-Ryukyu joint-production music and dance drama of the great Indian epic "Ramayana" was held in Urasoe City. It played to a full house.

Coverage of the Association's Activities in the Japan-India Association Journal "MJIA"

In March, the work of the OIFA, marking its 22nd year since its founding, was featured in "MJIA," the journal of the Japan-India Association (a public-interest incorporated foundation), helping us share news of our Association.

Courtesy Visit to the Embassy of India in Japan and Exchange of Views

In April, together with the Director-General of Okinawa Prefecture, the Chairman of OCVB, and the Mayor of Onna Village, we paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of India in Japan and held an exchange of views on future collaboration between India and Okinawa and on our Association's activities.

"Okinawa Day" Event (Embassy of India in Japan)

In September, the OIFA-commissioned by Okinawa Prefecture and in cooperation with the Prefecture and the Embassy of India in Japan-held the "Okinawa Day" event at the Embassy of India in Japan to promote mutual understanding between Okinawa Prefecture and the Republic of India. Mr. Masahisa Miyazaki, State Minister for Health, Labour and Welfare; Mr. Konosuke Kokuba, State Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; the Governor of Okinawa; the Speaker of the Assembly; and others attended and spoke about further promoting exchange between Okinawa and India.

Visit to Okinawa by Ambassador of India Sibi George and Welcome Exchange

We welcomed H.E. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, who paid courtesy calls on the Governor of Okinawa, various organizations of the Okinawa business community, and the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly. At the welcome reception, a wide-ranging exchange of views was held with our Association's chairman and directors on future ties with India.

Inspection of the Potential for Resort Weddings for Indian Visitors

We planned resort weddings for Indian tourists and invited officials from wedding-related companies to Okinawa to explore the potential for resort weddings for Indian tourists.

India - Art Living in People's Daily Lives

An international cultural exchange project hosted by the OIFA and supported by the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts. It comprised three parts: a commentary and free screening of the Indian music documentary film "Up, Down & Sideways" (Amaneki Senritsu); an introduction to the Rabari embroidery culture of the Kutch region of Gujarat in western India; and a mirror-embroidery hands-on workshop.

Haisai! India 2019

A multifaceted event bringing together Indian food, culture, and art in one place. In addition to courses on yoga and Ayurveda and stalls selling Indian cuisine and goods, performances of Indian classical music and dance such as bhajan, khayal, and Odissi were held. Co-hosted with BOOK CAFE & HALL Yukaruhi.

North Indian Classical Music Concert

A North Indian classical music concert was held, welcoming the Kolkata-born sitar player Amit Roy.

International Exchange Workshop at OIST

An international exchange workshop was held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). Centered on students attending universities in Okinawa, participants deepened discussions with international students from around the world.

Sange Iroai (The Colors of Three Flowers)

As a charity performance under the theme "Nurturing Human Resources for International Exchange and Advancing the Future," the performance "Sange Iroai (The Colors of Three Flowers)," bringing together the dance and music of India, the Ryukyus, and Bali, was held at the National Theatre Okinawa. Through the diverse dance and music woven by these three cultures, we sought to promote international exchange.

"Kathakali" Dance Drama Performance and Exchange with Local Schools

A performance of "Kathakali" dance drama from Kerala, the southernmost state of India, was held. Hosted by the OIFA and supported by the Embassy of India in Japan, the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and the Institute of Sathya Sai Education Japan, a festival of Indian classical dance was held. The same event was also held at elementary and junior high schools in Okinawa, fostering exchange with local schoolchildren.

A Mohiniyattam dance performance from Kerala, the southernmost state of India, was also held.

Visit to Okinawa by the Minister and a Performance by Mr. Shujaat Khan

Mr. Arun Goyal, Minister (Economic & Commercial) of the Embassy of India, visited Okinawa. That same year, a free-admission performance in Japan by Mr. Shujaat Khan, a 2004 Grammy nominee, was held at the Rizzan Sea-Park Hotel Tancha-Bay to foster Japan-India exchange. That November, a three-day photo exhibition tracing the history of Japan-India exchange, together with Indian performing arts, was held, drawing more than 1,050 participants.

Visit to Okinawa by Ambassador Prasad and Exchange with Indian Researchers at OIST

H.E. Alok Prasad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Japan, visited Okinawa and paid a courtesy call on Indian researchers working at OIST, promoting exchange. The OIFA regularly conducts exchanges with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), ranked 10th in the world university rankings; in the past these have included international exchange workshops, opinion-exchange meetings including the President of OIST, dance performances, and Diwali festivals.

10th Anniversary Ceremony of the Association and the 60th Anniversary of Japan-India Diplomatic Relations

The OIFA's 10th anniversary ceremony was held, with H.E. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, Ambassador of India to Japan, Counselor Dr. Chadaram Sivaji, and Mr. Hirabayashi, Director of The Japan-India Association, visiting Okinawa. Indian martial artists and dancers were invited. As it was also the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-India diplomatic relations, celebrations were held at the same time. The ceremony was a great success, and Ambassador Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa commended the OIFA's IT seminars and other activities.

An opinion-exchange meeting with OIST was also held.

Inspection of Bhutan and India and Signing of a Tourism and Cultural Friendship Exchange Agreement

For the OIFA's 10th anniversary, we visited Bhutan and India. A ceremony was held in Delhi for the signing of a Letter of Assurance of Cultural Tourism Promotion / Friendship Exchange between Lions Clubs International and the OIFA.

Producing a Collaborative Performance of Three Nations' Traditional Performing Arts

At the National Theatre Okinawa (Main Theatre), we produced and staged the first-ever collaboration of the traditional performing arts of three nations-Indian dance, Ryukyuan dance, and Balinese dance.

Visit to Okinawa by Ambassador Alok Prasad and Festival of Indian Classical Dance

H.E. Alok Prasad, Ambassador of India to Japan, visited Okinawa to attend a general meeting of ambassadors. Around the same time, a festival of authentic Indian classical dance and culture was held. The event was a great success, and the Ambassador also enjoyed the show.

Inspection Visit to Okinawa by Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori

Mr. Yoshiro Mori, former Prime Minister of Japan, visited Okinawa for an inspection tour.

Ambassador's Attendance at the Unveiling Ceremony of the Japan-India Animal Exchange Monument

H.E. Hemant Krishan Singh, Ambassador of India to Japan, visited Okinawa and attended the unveiling ceremony of the monument commemorating the Japan-India Animal Exchange Project.

Conferral of an Indian Award on Standing Director Ryuko Hira

Mr. Ryuko Hira, Standing Director of the OIFA, was decorated with the "Pravasi Bharatiya Samman" by the Government of India.

Festival of Indian Classical Dance and Event at Palette Kumoji

A festival of Indian classical dance and culture was held, with the Minister for Culture from the Embassy of India invited to attend. More than 1,200 people participated in total.
At the square of Okinawa's only department store, "Palette Kumoji," we introduced Indian culture through a product fair, Indian yoga experiences, and Indian dance performances.

Visit to Okinawa by the Ambassador and Minister and the Indian Elephant Arrival Ceremony

H.E. Hemant Krishan Singh, Ambassador of India to Japan, visited Okinawa for an inspection tour. Minister Sanjay Bhattacharyya also visited Okinawa for inspection. An arrival ceremony for the Indian elephants was also held.

Manipuri Dance Performance at the Festival of India and Diverse International Cultural Exchange

At the Rizzan Sea-Park Hotel Tancha-Bay, which has the largest number of guest rooms in Okinawa, the OIFA exchange program "The Festival of India" presented a Manipuri dance performance, one of India's seven major classical dance traditions. A total of 220 people attended, making it a great success.
It was also a major achievement that we supported the Indian dance drama Kathakali, which was performed at the National Theatre Okinawa.
As part of our international cultural exchange activities, we regularly held programs across Okinawa, including the performance mentioned above, Ayurveda lectures and experiences, and panel exhibitions on the history and culture of India, so that people could feel closer to India.

Donation of an Indian Elephant to "Okinawa Children's Land" and a Symbol of Friendship

Indian elephants were donated from India to the zoo "Okinawa Children's Land" in Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture. The OIFA also contributed to making this animal exchange project a reality. The two elephants are still at the zoo today and are loved not only by local residents but also by visitors from around the world, serving as a symbol of the bridge between India and Okinawa.

Visit to Okinawa by Ambassador Tripathi

H.E. Manilal Tripathi, Ambassador of India to Japan, visited Okinawa.

India IT Seminar

An India IT seminar was held to promote collaboration by leveraging the strengths of Japan and India through the exchange of people and technology.

Planting of a Bodhi Tree Sapling and the "Okinawa Bodaiju-en"

Minister Biren Nanda visited Okinawa to attend the tree-planting ceremony. A sapling from the Bodhi tree, under which Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, was planted opposite the memorial monument and tower "Konpaku no To" in Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture, to honor all those who lost their lives in World War II. This was the first time such a Bodhi tree sapling had been officially taken out of India since it was brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE. Venerable Keishri Sumedha, a senior monk from the Indian Bodhi Tree Society and the Sarnath Center, visited Okinawa and sprinkled water from the Ganges during the planting. Later, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama also visited and planted a commemorative tree. The site remains open today as the "Okinawa Bodaiju-en" and is visited by many people.

First Inspection Tour of India and Exchange with Political and Business Circles

The first inspection tour of India was conducted. Forty-one members of the friendship association participated, inspecting tourist facilities in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and other locations in India, while also engaging with representatives from local political and business circles. They received a warm welcome from the India Tourism Office and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Inspection tours and training visits to India have continued regularly since then and were also scheduled to take place again in February 2025.

Congratulatory Message from Former Prime Minister Mori and the Founding General Assembly

The OIFA received a congratulatory message on its founding from former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. Minister Biren Nanda, serving as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, visited Okinawa to attend the founding general assembly and commemorative party of the OIFA. The Director of JICA and the Vice Governor of Okinawa Prefecture also participated.

Establishment of the OIFA

The OIFA was established. H.E. Aftab Seth, then Ambassador of India to Japan, visited Okinawa.