Japan has decided to associate itself with India in developing Chennai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi as smart cities.

During a meeting of Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu with Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu here today, he said, Japan is "quite interested" in urban development initiatives of the government and decided to be a partner, an official release said.

Responding to Naidu's observation about the need for speedy action, the Japanese envoy said "We would like to match the action oriented approach of the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi."