Akie Abe Unveils Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor in Varanasi

Akie Abe, who is wife to the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, along with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, inaugurated the Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor in Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi on October 7, 2026. This memorial is dedicated to the role played by Abe in improving the relations between Japan and India and remembers his visit to Kashi along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.

Akie Abe’s Reflections on Shinzo Abe’s Trip to Varanasi in 2015

In December 2015, Shinzo Abe went to Varanasi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended Ganga Aarti. The visit became a symbol of a strong personal connection between Abe and Modi as well as between India and Japan.

During the inauguration ceremony, Akie Abe mentioned that seeing the monument revived her memories of the visit of her husband. Moreover, she remembered that she always wanted to be there and personally visit Kashi and its traditions.

Akie Abe made a cultural connection between Kashi and Kyoto since both cities are very old and their names start from the letter “K”.

Moreover, she paid attention to the importance of 108 Rudrakshas at the exterior of the convention centre. As per the Japanese Buddhist tradition, the temple bells are sounded 108 times during the night of New Year’s Eve when 108 human afflictions are counted.

Highlights of Memorial Corridor Show India-Japan Strategic Alliance

As per the remarks by Yogi Adityanath, the memorial corridor is indicative of strategic, cultural and diplomatic collaboration between India and Japan. He also referred to the contribution of Shinzo Abe towards strengthening of bilateral relations and how Japan is contributing to infrastructure building in India.

This memorial corridor includes pictures and memories related to Shinzo Abe including his meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visit to Varanasi in 2015.

Japan Investments and Cooperation in Uttar Pradesh

Yogi Adityanath informed that nearly 1,400 Japanese firms have invested in India. He further referred to the contribution of Japan in large infrastructure projects including the high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad and metro rail projects.

Uttar Pradesh is working on a 500-acre Japan city near Jewar airport for encouraging Japanese investments. It has also set up a desk named Yamanashi at Invest UP for investments from Yamanashi prefecture of Japan.

Green hydrogen project is another area where both Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi prefecture of Japan are collaborating.

Role Played by Shinzo Abe in India-Japan Relations

Shinzo Abe was the Prime Minister of Japan twice, and during his second term from 2012 to 2020, he contributed immensely to the growth of India-Japan collaboration in matters strategic, infrastructural, investments, and the Indo-Pacific region.

In recognition of his contribution in Public Affairs, India awarded Shinzo Abe the Padma Vibhushan, which is the second highest civilian award given by the country.

Moreover, his association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi became a significant aspect of the India-Japan strategic alliance.