Andhra Pradesh to introduce Japanese language course in a varsity

Hyderabad, Nov 28: Andhra Pradesh government is planning to introduce Japanese in one of the universities as Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu woos large scale investments from Asia's second largest economy.

Naidu on the fourth day of his Japan tour held a series of meetings with firms Isuzu Motors and Mayekawa Manufacturing Company as well as Japan International Cooperation Agency and Japan Bank for International Cooperation inviting investments.

While expressing happiness over Isuzu evincing interest in skill development mission, the Chief Minister said he is planning to introduce Japanese in a state university. "The Chief Minister added that he was planning to introduce Japanese language in one of AP's universities," a state government release said. [AP to soon get Marine University]

Naidu said that Japanese firms can transform the business culture in AP. "There is a red carpet waiting for you in India," he added. While AP is strong in technical education and has human resources, there is also a cultural similarity, he said.

"Japan and AP have Buddhism. We are going to develop Buddhist tourism circuits in our state. This will give a fillip to tourism," he added. [Efforts on to set up Tribal varsity in East Godavari]

Naidu's plans to introduce Japanese at university level come amidst the controversy over Centre's decision to drop German as an alternative to Sanskrit as the third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

The Board of Governors (BoG) of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), headed by HRD Minister Smriti Irani, had in its meeting on October 27 decided that "teaching of German language as an option to Sanskrit will be discontinued herewith". German has been kept as an additional subject for students.

PTI