The minister-in-charge of political affairs of Japanese embassy, New Delhi, Naoki Ito, today laid the foundation stone of a hospital, Japanese Hospital Manipur. It is proposed to be set up by an Imphal-based trust called Japanese Second World War Victims Memorial Hospital Trust, Manipur, at Khabeisoi, 5km from here in Imphal East.
Naoki, along with Matsubayashi Koju, the first secretary, Japan embassy, was here for three days. They arrived here on Tuesday and left for Delhi this afternoon after laying the foundation stone.
The Japanese government has assured the NGO to provide Rs 45 lakh for construction of the hospital on an initial plot of 1.25 hectares. In the first phase, the NGO plans to construct four blocks, surgery, medicine, gynaecology and accupunture, each having 30 beds. Japan will provide the funds from the scheme, Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects, that gives financial assistance to NGOs working at the grassroots. The trust is working to improve the relationship between Manipur and Japan which have links since World War II, during which many Japanese soldiers died in Manipur.
Relatives of the Japanese soldiers visit Manipur to pay homage to their dear ones. In memory of the Japanese soldiers, a peace park was constructed at Maibam Lokpa Ching in Bishnupur district, 17km from here.
“After the first Rs 45-lakh aid, we will approch the Japan Bank for International Cooperation for more financial assistance. We have prepared the project report and are ready to submit it to the bank,” the president of the trust, Rajen Ayangba, said.
He said the hospital was to be constructed in memory of the Japanese soldiers who had died in Manipur.
Ayangba said the trust planned to acquire more land as the hospital plan was to have 24 blocks or departments. The Japanese government has promised to extend all possible help to the hospital.
During their stay here the two officials visited Indian National Army memorial complex at Moirang, India Peace Memorial, known as Peace Park at Maibam Lokpa Ching, in Bishnupur district and Manipur University at Canchipur in Imphal West.
The Indian Peace Memorial was constructed by Japanese war veterans in memory of Japanese soldiers killed here.
“It is a matter of satisfaction that a peace memorial has been constructed here. This is the symbol of cooperation between Manipur and Japan. From this foundation, we can build further friendship and cooperation between Manipur and Japan,” Naoki said.