Akie Abe, the wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, became emotional as she recalled her late husband’s close relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of the Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor in Varanasi on Wednesday. The corridor, dedicated to the former Japanese leader, was jointly inaugurated by Akie Abe and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Rudraksh Convention Centre.
“I am deeply moved and grateful to everyone for this memorial corridor and for naming it after my husband,” Ms Abe said. “Seeing this place brought back memories of my husband’s visit here.”
Akie Abe is an esteemed guest at NDTV’s Indo-Japan Summit, titled ‘From Friendship To Future’, being held to discuss ideas shaping the next chapter of relationship between the two countries. The centre’s exterior features 108 symbolic Rudraksh beads. Ms Abe said the number also has significance in Japan, where Buddhist temple bells are traditionally rung 108 times on New Year’s Eve, representing the 108 human afflictions. He said around 1,400 Japanese companies currently operate in India and highlighted Japanese involvement in projects including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor and metro networks. He also announced plans for a 500-acre Japan City near Jewar Airport in Uttar Pradesh and highlighted cooperation with Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture on a green hydrogen pilot project.
She thanked Prime Minister Modi and the people of India for the honour and said it had been her long-held wish to visit Varanasi and experience its traditions herself. Yogi Adityanath said Shinzo Abe had made a significant contribution to strengthening bilateral ties.
