The Centre was set up jointly by the SRM University and the Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It was mere co-incidence that the day marked the 64th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the United States during World War two. 

A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed at the University campus at suburban Kattankualthur and it was exchanged by Consul-General of Japan in Chennai, Kazua Minagawa and SRM University Registrar N Sethuraman in the presence of University Vice-Chancellor Prof P Sathyanarayanan and Chamber founder and President Prof Krishnaswami. 

Talking to reporters after the launch function, Prof Sathyanarayanan said the Centre would offer Certificate and Diploma courses in Japanese languages, linguistics, culture, business and other aspects of Japan.

He also said SRM University was the second institute in India to have such a Centre for Japanese Studies after the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. 

He added the courses would commence from the present academic year beginning from September and the Centre would offer UG and PG courses on Japanese studies in future.

Prof Sathyanarayanan informed that the University was also willing to set up its campus in Japan if that government allowed private players in the sector.

Earlier, inaugurating the Centre, Mr Kazua Minagawa called for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries by proper understanding of the economy, politics and culture of the two nations, which were ''Natural partners and eternal friends''.

He said Japanese investments in India had surpassed China and were still growing. About 40 per cent of investments were in the manufacturing sector and several financial institutions in Japan were funding various projects in India. 

There had been an increase in the number of Japanese companies in India from 65 in 2007 to 155 at present. The number of Japanese nationals in India had also doubled from 200 to 450, he said and attributed this to the establishment of a manufacturing facility being set up at Oragadam by auto major Nissan, which would be commissioned by May next year. 

He also reiterated that Japan is in the process of extending co-operation in health care sector of the  state and is doing feasibility studies of modernising Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.  He added that Japanese government is also extending co-operation on  Hogennakal water project and more infrastructure projects are being identified as India pays back promptly.