Japan PM's wife leads International Yoga Day celebrations in Tokyo with over 2,000 participants
Japan PM’s wife Yoshiko Ishiba inaugurated the Yoga Day event in Tokyo.
The Indian Embassy in Japan hosted a grand celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) in Tokyo, drawing a crowd of over 2,000 enthusiastic participants. The occasion was inaugurated by Yoshiko Ishiba, the spouse of Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who also actively participated in performing yoga asanas alongside attendees. The event also saw the presence of Satoko Iwaya, wife of Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, lending symbolic strength to the deepening cultural and diplomatic ties between India and Japan.

(Also read: New York's Times Square turns into open air yoga studio for International Yoga Day 2025 celebration)
Ambassador's address and diverse participation
India’s Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, addressed the gathering and underscored the importance of yoga in fostering physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The Indian Embassy highlighted the event in a post on X, saying, “Glimpses of the 11th International Day of Yoga 2025 in Tokyo. Inaugurated by Madam Yoshiko Ishiba, Spouse of Hon’ble PM of Japan. Occasion was graced by Madam Satoko Iwaya, Spouse of the Hon’ble Foreign Minister. Ambassador @AmbSibiGeorge addressed the gathering of over two thousand yoga enthusiasts. Also, marked by presence of Reverend Myoken Hayama & Reverend Tomohiro Kimura of Tsukiji Hongwanji, Spouse of Ambassador Madam Joice Sibi, senior government officials, Resident Ambassadors and diplomats and friends of India in Japan."
Check out the post here:
Global theme: One Earth, one health
This year’s IDY theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” reflected the intrinsic connection between personal wellness and planetary health, reinforcing the relevance of yoga in today’s world.
India’s leadership in global wellness
Back in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations from the Visakhapatnam coastline, where naval ships stationed offshore added grandeur to the occasion. Addressing the gathering, he hailed yoga as a gift "beyond age" that transcends all boundaries and unites humanity in "health and harmony."
The International Day of Yoga was first adopted by the United Nations in 2014 following a resolution proposed by India and supported by a record 175 nations.
ABOUT THE AUTHORMahipal Singh ChouhanMahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More

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