Learning the Japanese language could well be the ticket for students, technology professionals and corporate executives in Andhra Pradesh who want to take advantage of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s ‘Look East’ policy.

The State government has pinned big hopes on Japanese investments to drive its industrial growth engine. At the same time, it wants to become a significant exporter of minerals, agri-based commodities and seafood, among others, to Japan, South Korea, Singapore and other countries.

The funds-starved State is in the process of introducing Japanese language courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level.

“In the changes proposed in the common core syllabus being followed by all the eight universities in the State, it has been decided to introduce the Japanese language in view of the growing bilateral interests between Japan and Andhra Pradesh,’’ a senior official in the Department of Higher Education told BusinessLine .

Pitching Amaravathi The State is also gearing up to build a new capital named Amaravathi, after an ancient seat of power. Amaravathi was a centre of Buddhism and the State wants to leverage it to attract Japanese tourists and pilgrims as well.

While Singapore is actively involved in the preparation of the Master Plan for the capital, Japanese giants are being wooed to pitch in for big projects in infrastructure, manufacturing, electronics etc. Learning the language could well be a fast way of striking a rapport and deriving benefits.

There is demand for translators and interpreters in the IT sector and industrial corridors.

The Japan Foundation, New Delhi, is the main promoter of courses in the language . It is keen to participate in the State’s efforts.

The government is planning to rope in EFL University, Hyderabad, which has a separate department of Japanese Studies (it offers a Bachelor’s degree, part-time courses and a diploma) to ramp up Japanese learning.

Hyderabad, currently the joint capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, has a significant concentration of Japanese.

The Ramakrishna Mission occasionally offers 3-6 months courses in the language.

IIT-Hyderabad, which is funded by Japan, also has special, short courses and Japanese collaborations.

In addition, the Asa Bhanu Japan Centre has been fostering bilateral relations and providing short-term language support.

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