Japanese investors keen on Ayurveda

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Japanese investors are keen on investing in the country while strengthening cordial links between Japan and Sri Lanka, a former Japanese Parliamentarian and a front line investor Zenjiro Kaneko said in an exclusive interview with the Daily News.

Kaneko was the Head of the Japanese delegation which visited the country recently to look into investment opportunities.

He said even Sri Lankan investors are able to invest in various sectors in Japan.

“Japanese investors are ready to assist Sri Lankan investors to invest in Japan by introducing them to new methodologies and technical know-how,” Kaneko said.

A Japanese delegation comprising 10 Japanese investors was on a five day visit to identify investment opportunities in the country, especially in the indigenous medical treatment sector. The delegation studied the possibilities of introducing Ayurvedic medicine among Elders’ Homes in Japan.

This idea was mooted by the Consul General for Sri Lanka in Japan Medagama Gamage Sunil, a Sri Lankan entrepreneur in Japan.

Kaneko said Sri Lankan traditional Ayurvedic medicines will be introduced in elders’ homes for bodily diseases, skin diseases and bone fractures since the Ayurvedic system is among the best healing methods in the world.

Yukinori Takahashi. a member of the delegation who is the owner of one of the five main elders’ homes in Japan, said he plans to manufacture medicine using Sri Lankan herbs and Ayurvedic methods blended with novel Japanese technology.

Delegation members said they plan to start over 500 Ayurvedic spa centres in Japan.

They also plan to start Ayurvedic spa centres in Sri Lanka.

The delegation held discussions with Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake, Ayurvedic Drug Corporation officers and Ayurvedic doctors.

The Japanese investors will also invest in various sectors.