LUCKNOW, Aug. 20 -- Pitching the state as a dream destination before Japanese investors, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a comprehensive '360-degree transformation' over the past nine years. Inviting Japanese companies to make Uttar Pradesh their 'Second Industrial Home', he said they should not merely set up factories here, but also develop technology, R&D, skill centers and global supply chains. Adityanath was speaking at the Uttar Pradesh-Japan Investment Meet 2026 in New Delhi. He called upon investors to become partners in UP's growth journey and take advantage of investment opportunities. He also said Uttar Pradesh is moving strongly towards becoming a USD 1 trillion economy, highlighting the state's advantages in infrastructure, logistics, industrial growth and good governance as key drivers of its economic expansion. "The UP government believes not just in making announcements, but in delivering on its commitments on the ground. Investors can witness the transformation UP has undergone over the past nine years," he said. "Improvements in law and order, connectivity, infrastructure, industrial environment and investor-friendly policies have created a new image of Uttar Pradesh. The change in government's approach and functioning is also visible to investors," he said. He expressed gratitude to leading CEOs and business leaders for their enthusiasm towards investing in the state, said a press statement issued by the state government. At the inaugural session, he said, "Japan is the 'Land of the Rising Sun', while Uttar Pradesh is the 'Land of the Suryavansh'. Japan has decades of industrial experience, quality, technology and manufacturing excellence, while Uttar Pradesh has a young workforce, skills, a large market, strong infrastructure and better law and order." "The India-Japan partnership is a partnership of 'Shared Growth, Shared Technology and Shared Prosperity'. Today, 55% of the country's mobile phone production and nearly 60% of electronic component manufacturing is taking place in Uttar Pradesh." "Over the past nine years, Uttar Pradesh has succeeded in tripling its budget, GSDP and per capita income through 'Safety, Stability and Speed'. During this period, women's workforce participation has also increased more than threefold. The state is moving firmly towards becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy," he said. He said 60% of the country's total expressway network, 17 airports, India's largest railway network, metro networks in seven cities, India's first Rapid Rail, the country's first inland waterway, two Dedicated Freight Corridors, and logistics hubs provide Uttar Pradesh with seamless connectivity to global standards. "India's first urban public transport ropeway is being developed in Varanasi. More than 96 lakh (9.6 million) MSME units, over 35,000 large industries and more than 22,000 start-ups are driving Uttar Pradesh's economy. The state has 36 sectoral policies covering areas including IT-ITES, green hydrogen, solar power, food processing and defense manufacturing," he added. "A Japan City is also being developed in Uttar Pradesh with basic amenities, located just three kilometers from Noida International Airport. Semiconductor, data center, and electronics manufacturing clusters are also located nearby. In March 2026, the state introduced the 'Plug and Play Industrial Sheds' scheme. Noida International Airport is also being developed as a cargo, MRO and logistics hub," he added. "The Escorts Kubota project has the potential to generate around 4,000 jobs. In its first phase, the project has proposed an annual production capacity of 60,000 tractors and 15,000 units of construction equipment," he said. He added that the proposed tripartite MoU between JETRO (Japan External Trade Organisation), Invest UP and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) would provide a stronger institutional foundation for the process. Speaking at a roundtable meeting with prominent industry leaders, he assured them the government would ensure that they do not face unnecessary difficulties at any level. The state government team has taken note of investors' suggestions, he said and gave the assurance that these be carefully considered and that necessary steps would be taken to address any practical challenges that may arise....