Seiichi Saito Takes Over as JCCII Secretary General, Succeeds Kenji Sugino
The leadership transition was announced during the Sunmuko Kai meeting held at the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi on April 23, with speakers welcoming Saito and acknowledging Sugino’s contribution to Japan–India business ties.
New Delhi: The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India (JCCII) has entered a new phase of leadership with Seiichi Saito taking over as its new Secretary General, succeeding Kenji Sugino, who had been a familiar and active face of the Japanese business community in India.
The transition was formally acknowledged during the Sunmuko Kai meeting held at the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi on April 23, 2026, where members of the Japanese business and diplomatic community welcomed Saito in his new role. The meeting also featured a presentation on Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!! 2026, confirming the gathering as part of a broader platform for Japanese community, business and cultural engagement in India.
Saito’s appointment marks an important organizational change at JCCII, one of the key institutions representing Japanese companies operating in India. In a public statement following his assumption of office, Saito said he was “honored” to take over as Secretary General and looked forward to contributing to the further strengthening of business relations between Japan and India.
During the Sunmuko Kai proceedings, speakers referred to the transition as a moment of both continuity and renewal for JCCII. They acknowledged the role played by outgoing Secretary General Kenji Sugino in supporting Japanese companies, maintaining close coordination with stakeholders and helping strengthen the institutional presence of the Japanese business community in India.
Sugino, who has represented JCCII at several India–Japan business platforms, had been closely associated with discussions on Japanese corporate interests, investment climate and business cooperation in India. His engagement with industry bodies and public forums had made him a prominent point of contact for Japan-related business dialogue in the country.
The speakers at the meeting welcomed Saito as a capable successor who would carry forward JCCII’s work at a time when Japanese companies are looking at India with renewed interest. They noted that the role of the Secretary General is becoming increasingly important as India–Japan economic cooperation expands beyond traditional areas into manufacturing, infrastructure, mobility, semiconductors, green technology, services, talent mobility and cultural-business linkages.
In his own remarks, Saito expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and underlined his commitment to working closely with JCCII members, the Embassy of Japan, Indian institutions and partner organizations. His remarks reflected a focus on service to member companies, stronger coordination within the Japanese business ecosystem and deeper engagement with India’s evolving economic landscape.
The leadership handover comes at a significant moment for India–Japan relations. Japanese companies in India are witnessing expanding opportunities in manufacturing, supply chains, infrastructure, consumer markets and technology-led sectors. At the same time, platforms such as JCCII are expected to play a more proactive role in helping companies navigate policy, regulatory, market-entry and partnership-related issues.
JCCII has long functioned as a bridge between Japanese enterprises and India’s institutional and business environment. With Saito assuming charge, members expect the chamber to continue its role as a strong collective voice of Japanese industry in India while also responding to the changing needs of new-generation Japanese businesses entering the Indian market.
The Sunmuko Kai meeting also reflected the broader spirit of Japanese community coordination in India, bringing together business representatives, community leaders and stakeholders involved in cultural and commercial initiatives. The presentation on Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!! 2026 further highlighted how Japan’s business, culture and people-to-people diplomacy are increasingly being viewed as interconnected pillars of the bilateral relationship.
Saito’s appointment is therefore being seen not merely as an administrative change but as a timely leadership transition at a crucial stage in India–Japan economic engagement. As Japanese interest in India continues to grow, the new Secretary General is expected to help JCCII strengthen its support system for member companies and contribute to a more active and future-oriented Japan–India business partnership.
About JCCII: The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India (JCCII) is one of the most important institutional platforms of Japanese companies operating in India. Established on July 17, 2006, it is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and works to promote trade, industry and commerce between India and Japan, facilitate economic cooperation, strengthen business relations, and support the common interests of its member companies. Its members are mainly Japanese companies and Japanese government institutions operating in India. JCCII currently has 661 Japanese member companies as of April 1, 2026, according to its official Japanese-language profile.
The chamber plays a key role in supporting Japanese companies in India by sharing business, political, economic and security-related information, holding monthly meetings such as Sanmoku-kai, coordinating with the Embassy of Japan and Japanese Association Delhi, and taking up business-environment issues faced by Japanese companies with relevant Indian authorities.
