Akie Abe, wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, opened a memorial corridor at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi on Wednesday, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance. The corridor, a joint venture between India and Japan, commemorates Shinzo Abe’s 2015 visit when he participated in the Ganga Aarti alongside Modi.
Abe’s reaction was raw: tears streamed as she recalled her husband’s close ties with Modi and the cultural parallels between Varanasi and Kyoto. She noted that both cities, once called Kashi and Kyoto, start with the letter "K", underscoring a shared heritage that the corridor celebrates.
Adityanath praised Shinzo Abe’s role in strengthening bilateral ties, citing the presence of 1,400 Japanese companies in India and joint infrastructure projects such as the Mumbai‑Ahmedabad rail corridor. He announced plans for a 500‑acre Japan City near Jewar Airport, a move that will further cement economic cooperation.
The memorial corridor and the Rudraksh Convention Centre, whose exterior features 108 symbolic Rudraksh beads, symbolize the deepening India‑Japan relationship that has grown from cultural exchanges to technology and investment. The site also pays homage to the Padma Vibhushan award given to Shinzo Abe in 2021.
The inauguration comes ahead of 2027, when India and Japan will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. It also precedes the Indo‑Japan Summit titled "From Friendship To Future" where leaders will outline the next chapter of the partnership.