Modi to visit Japan from August 31

Prime minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Japan between August 31 and September 3. Soon coming to power, Modi in his foreign policy brief had put Japan on top priority, but had to postpone his trip earlier scheduled for first week of July, due to Budget session of Parliament and the lack of preparations from various departments.

Government sources said Modi's visit to Tokyo had been rescheduled to September earlier, but was advanced to August 31, because Japanese emperor Akihito, the ceremonial monarch in Japan's system of constitutional monarchy, goes in isolation in September and doesn't meet anyone. In this period, Japan discourages foreign official and state visits.

Modi in his letter to Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe had sought postponement of the trip scheduled for July 4-5 due to the impending budget session. But it is now learnt that several departments were not prepared to lay out agenda for the visit. Analysts believe, the agenda of Modi's upcoming Japan visit will inevitably be topped by economic, trade and investment issues. Modi has been there many times before as chief minister of Gujarat. Apart from trade, commerce and partnership in infrastructure projects, Modi also aims to bolster defence and strategic ties with Japan.

Sale of Japanese amphibious aircraft US-2i to India will also be high on Modi's agenda in Japan. The amphibious aircraft deal is highly significant as it will be the first time since World War II when Japan will be selling its military aircraft to India. The deal may well be upwards of $1.5 billion as India is keen on buying at least 15 such planes.