SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program Group 2
Indian High School Students Visit DNP (Dai Nippon Printing)
On the afternoon of July 2, 51 high school students and 3 supervisors from India, who were visiting Japan as part of the second group of the Sakura Science High School Program (SSHP), visited DNP (Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.) in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. A total of 54 participants took part in the visit.
Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, DNP has expanded far beyond its origins in printing technology. While building on its long-established expertise in printing, the company has broadened its business into a wide range of advanced fields. Today, DNP supports industries around the world through products such as battery pouches for lithium-ion batteries, which are essential components of smartphones and electric vehicles, as well as materials and components related to OLED displays and other cutting-edge technologies.
During the opening remarks, a DNP employee who has visited India many times shared a message with the students: “New ideas come from connecting different groups. Today's visit is the beginning of a connection.”
DNP is actively promoting collaborative research with India, having established a research and development base at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) in April 2026. The company is strengthening partnerships that span the entire innovation process, from research and development to commercialization. During the presentation, students were also introduced to Indian employees who are currently working at the new base.
DNP representatives emphasized the company's commitment to recruiting talented young people from India in the future, encouraging the students by saying, “We hope that some of you will one day join us in research and development.” In addition, the students learned about a new publishing company jointly established by DNP and Kodansha in Delhi in July, which is an initiative aimed at bringing Japanese manga culture to a wider audience in India.
Next, two Indian high school students gave presentations.
The first student spoke about his passion for Japanese anime. He explained that he enjoys watching popular series such as Naruto and Dragon Ball with English subtitles and always looks forward to new episodes. He also shared that anime has taught him important life lessons, including never giving up, believing in oneself, and continuing to work hard to move forward despite challenges.
The second student introduced Indian culture through the lens of the country's philosophy and values. Describing India as “a country as colorful as a rainbow,” the student explained that the nation is characterized by its remarkable diversity, with languages, cuisines, and even the taste of the water varying from region to region. The presentation also highlighted India's rich traditions of music and dance, the importance of family bonds, and the many distinctive festivals celebrated across different states.
The student further noted that, while Indian society has been influenced by Western culture, many young people in India are increasingly fascinated by Japanese culture. Through this presentation, the audience gained a deeper appreciation of India's cultural richness and the perspectives of its younger generation.
Afterward, the participants toured DNP's exhibition facilities. As they explored the company's cutting-edge technologies and products firsthand, they listened attentively to the explanations given by DNP staff. The Indian students were visibly excited by the innovative displays, asking numerous questions and demonstrating a strong interest in the technologies that support industries and everyday life around the world.
During the farewell session, a student representative expressed gratitude to DNP, saying:
“Today, we witnessed how innovation, precision, and vision are transformed into solutions that impact the lives of billions of people. We also gained a broader global perspective. Through this exchange, our belief has been further strengthened that curiosity, collaboration, and determination, when brought together, can create a meaningful impact.”
The student's remarks reflected the inspiration and insights gained throughout the visit and conveyed the participants' sincere appreciation for the opportunity to learn from DNP's technological innovations and global initiatives.
This visit provided a valuable opportunity to connect the next generation of Indian talent with a leading Japanese company. As one DNP employee remarked during the program, “New ideas come from different groups.” The encounters and exchanges that took place on this day may well serve as the starting point for future collaboration between India and Japan. It is hoped that the relationships forged through this visit will one day lead to joint research projects, technological innovation, and even deeper ties between the two countries.
