Japanese companies explore Karnataka for GCC expansion

A 28-member delegation of leading Japanese corporations met with the Karnataka government on Thursday as part of a focused effort to evaluate the state as a destination for expanding global capability centres (GCCs).

The delegation, comprising major Japanese and multinational firms, along with senior representatives from JETRO and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), is on a three-day visit to Bengaluru, according to a statement.

The mission aims to gain a first-hand understanding of Karnataka’s technology and innovation ecosystem through site visits to established GCCs, interactions with startups, and engagements with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

At a dedicated session hosted by the Department of IT & BT, officials led by Manjula N, Secretary, and Rahul S Shankanur, Managing Director of the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), showcased the state’s strengths in deeptech, engineering R&D, semiconductors, AI, and digital technologies.

They also highlighted the Karnataka GCC Policy, which offers customised incentives to support companies at every stage from initial setup and talent development to scaling and advanced capability building.

The government assured the delegation of end-to-end facilitation support for companies exploring or expanding their GCC footprint in the state.

Japanese companies, including Fujifilm, Resonac, CBC, and Mitsubishi Electric, presented their focus areas and potential collaboration avenues. Resonac, a global leader in functional chemicals and semiconductor materials, expressed its intent to establish an Indian Design Centre and deepen partnerships with IITs to strengthen engineering talent pipelines as part of its India expansion strategy.

Speaking at the meeting, Manjula N reaffirmed Karnataka’s strong ties with Japan, citing the success of companies like Toyota and the emergence of the Japanese Industrial Park. She noted that, beyond Bengaluru, cities like Mangaluru are emerging as promising GCC hubs.

Over the next two days, the delegation will continue meetings with GCCs, innovators, and ecosystem leaders, including Infosys and Wipro, as it assesses opportunities across advanced engineering, AI, and next-generation R&D.