President Ram Chandra Paudel has described the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan as a milestone in bilateral ties. He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hori Iwao, on Monday while on an official visit to Japan.
President Paudel is on a four-day visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese government, leading a Nepali delegation along with First Lady Sabita Paudel, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the meeting, the President noted that Japan has been providing bilateral grants, concessional loans, multilateral assistance, and technical cooperation to Nepal, playing a significant role in human resource development, health, agriculture, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and cultural preservation. He said Nepal wishes to further benefit from Japan’s experience, knowledge, skills, and technology in these sectors.
Highlighting that Nepal is in the process of graduating from the category of Least Developed Countries in 2026, President Paudel expressed confidence that Nepal would continue to receive goodwill and support from Japan. He stated that there is strong potential to attract Japanese investment in Nepal’s priority development sectors and added that Nepal has already carried out legal, procedural, and institutional reforms to facilitate trade, attract foreign investment, and promote innovation.
Referring to the cultural bond between the two nations inspired by the teachings of Gautam Buddha, President Paudel said that Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, has served as a strong bridge between the peoples of Nepal and Japan. He also expressed gratitude for Japan’s support in the development of Lumbini and noted that the contribution of the Nepali migrant community to Japan’s socio-economic sectors has helped strengthen bilateral relations.
On the occasion, State Minister Hori Iwao said President Paudel’s role in safeguarding the constitution and democracy had been praised even outside Nepal. According to the President’s Press Advisor Kiran Pokharel, the Japanese minister reiterated Japan’s continued support for peace, stability, and the strengthening of democracy in Nepal. He also stated that peace in Nepal contributes to peace and development in the entire region and expressed Japan’s wish for the successful conduct of the upcoming House of Representatives election.
State Minister Iwao further said that Japan would continue its development assistance to Nepal and informed that Japan has already decided to reconstruct the Sindhuli section of the BP Highway damaged by floods and to construct an underpass to ease traffic congestion in the Koteshwor area.
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