LUCKNOW, July 23 -- Uttar Pradesh is set to play a pivotal role in boosting cultural engagement with its strategic participation in the 'Japan Tourism Expo 2025' from September 25 to 28. The state is positioning its rich spiritual and cultural heritage as a soft-power tool to attract Japanese tourists and investors, according to an official release issued here.

A 54-square-metre pavilion to be set up at the event will offer a high-tech, immersive glimpse into the state's ancient roots and modern tourism potential, the pavilion would be themed around its Buddhist Circuit, folk arts, and traditional wellness systems, the release said.

This initiative is part of a broader vision to build stronger people-to-people connections between India ...