- The 12th session of the India–Japan Joint Working Group (JWG) on Roads and Road Transportation Sector focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in road infrastructure, intelligent transport systems (ITS), and road safety. - Discussions highlighted technological advancements, adoption of advanced traffic management systems, and sustainable maintenance practices in road transport. - Both nations emphasized mutual learning, knowledge exchange, and technical collaboration between Indian ministries and Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). - **India-Japan Joint Working Group on Roads and Road Transportation Sector:** A bilateral mechanism established under a 2014 Framework of Cooperation to facilitate technical exchanges, best practices, and joint collaboration in road infrastructure, maintenance, and safety between India and Japan. - **Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India:** The Indian central government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of policies, laws, and regulations relating to national highways, transport research, and road infrastructure development. - **Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan:** The Japanese government ministry overseeing national spatial planning, infrastructure development, transport policies, tourism, and meteorological services, partnering with India on advanced road technologies. **Introduction** The 12th session of the India-Japan Joint Working Group (JWG) on Roads and Road Transportation Sector convened to enhance bilateral cooperation, sharing best practices in road infrastructure development, maintenance, road safety, and intelligent transport systems. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The 12th session of the India–Japan Joint Working Group (JWG) on Roads and Road Transportation Sector focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in road infrastructure, intelligent transport systems (ITS), and road safety. - Discussions highlighted technological advancements, adoption of advanced traffic management systems, and sustainable maintenance practices in road transport. - Both nations emphasized mutual learning, knowledge exchange, and technical collaboration between Indian ministries and Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **India-Japan Joint Working Group on Roads and Road Transportation Sector:** A bilateral mechanism established under a 2014 Framework of Cooperation to facilitate technical exchanges, best practices, and joint collaboration in road infrastructure, maintenance, and safety between India and Japan. - **Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India:** The Indian central government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of policies, laws, and regulations relating to national highways, transport research, and road infrastructure development. - **Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan:** The Japanese government ministry overseeing national spatial planning, infrastructure development, transport policies, tourism, and meteorological services, partnering with India on advanced road technologies.