Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] has arrived in Tokyo along with his wife Gursharan Kaur.

According to a senior officer of Ministry of External Affairs, Singh's visit will see closer ties with Japan [Images] in security affairs.

"We are working on a joint declaration on security. We have common interests in keeping maritime lines open. Energy is our common interest and it comes though the same sea-links," the officer said.

On the eve of the visit, a group of Indian, Japanese and American experts urged Singh and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso to deepen their bilateral cooperation and take leadership in stabilizing the international economic system and more actively contribute to the building of an Asian Security Order.

Security in Asia is issue on the top of the agenda because of dangers in the maritime trade and insecure supply lines of oil and gas. Once Japan and India agree for closer security partnership, it will augment the strategic relationship. Since 2007, the Comprehensive Security Dialogue and Defense Policy Dialogue has already taken place.

Ahead of PM Singh's visit a group that comprised Richard Armitage, President, Armitage International; and Yoshiyuki Kasai, Chairman and Representative Director, Central Japan Railway and Tarun Das of CII has suggested, "The group welcomes the plans of Singh and also to unveil a broad framework for security cooperation between their two countries. The group urges the two leaders to move quickly towards an action plan that will contribute to the collective and cooperative security in the Indian Ocean and the Asia-Pacific region."

There is pressure from America and experts to create a new bilateral security framework between India and Japan.

According to the MEA officer, "On this visit, one will find more of the same". He said, "But, do not expect big bang or rabbit out of a hat."

While talking about the issue of having nuclear co-operation with Japan Indian side believes that Japan will remain sensitive to providing nuclear plants or technology to India but most of its top companies which  manufacture nuclear power plants are having collaboration with Americans.

Japan has reiterated its concerns ahead of the visit. While talking to PTI Taro Aso voiced hope that India would stick to its unilateral moratorium on atomic tests and "implement" commitments made to the NSG for securing the waiver that ended its 34-year nuclear apartheid. 

He said, "Japan thinks the most important thing is that, in order to maintain and strengthen the international non- proliferation system, India will implement its commitments and actions which presuppose the Nuclear Suppliers Group Statement, including the continuation of its unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing." 

Many experts believe that Singh's visit will initiate a way for new era of civil nuclear energy co-operation for future.

According to FICCI, "Bilateral civil nuclear cooperation between India and Japan will provide an important bridge between India's concerns for energy security and development and Japan's global initiative for addressing the challenges of climate change."

Japan is well placed in the nuclear energy sector to provide India nuclear technology. But, there is a strong lobby within Japan against any such move.

Another senior MEA officer said, "This is an emotional issue. Japan is the only country which was bombed with nuclear weapons. Japan has to take into consideration public opinion, also."

Talking about the bilateral trade issues he said, "Japan and India's economies are different. Japan's economy is highly protected."

But, however Japan's interest in India remains vibrant. India is largest recipient of Overseas Development assistance.

The Indian officer asked, "Which country goes to give such a large fund unless you believe in it?"

A senior PMO officer pointed out that in last 2-3 years "not a single week has passed when we have not seen important Japanese businessman visiting India".

On the current trip of PM to Japan the buzz is about the multi-billion dollar Industrial and Freight Corridor to be built with help of Japan between New Delhi [Images] and Mumbai while between Kolkatta and New Delhi a freight line is being planned to be built by the Indian Railways. Five Japanese companies have already got involved in the Early bird projects in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial corridor.

According to the PMO official, "Japanese leaders of Honda company came up with the idea of industrial corridor."

Such corridors are there in Japan, too. Already, 450 million yen has been given by Japan to fund the freight line between Mumbai and New Delhi. To develop Industrial corridor which will change the face of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and New Delhi a Project Development Fund has been established on eve of PM Singh's visit.

These corridors will revolutionise Indian industrial landscape. PMO officers refused to spell out the land acquisition policy or the plans about it to be adopted by the project managers.