President Poudel Meets Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs

Kathmandu, Feb 2: President Ram Chandra Poudel has said that the 70th anniversary of Nepal–Japan diplomatic relations is a milestone in bilateral ties.

According to the President’s Secretariat, President Poudel stated that Japan is an important and reliable development partner for Nepal and has played a significant role in Nepal’s social and economic development. He made these remarks during a courtesy call by Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Horii Iwao, while President Poudel is on an official visit to Japan.

Quoting the President, his Press Advisor Kiran Pokharel said Japan has been providing Nepal with bilateral grants and loans, multilateral assistance, and technical cooperation. These supports have contributed notably to human resource development, health, agriculture, infrastructure development, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation. President Poudel added that Nepal wishes to further benefit from Japan’s experience, knowledge, skills, and technology in these sectors.

President Poudel expressed confidence that Nepal would continue to receive goodwill and support from Japan as it prepares to graduate from the category of Least Developed Countries in 2026.

He also said there is strong potential to attract Japanese investment in Nepal’s priority development sectors, noting that Nepal has already carried out legal, procedural, and institutional reforms to improve the business environment, attract foreign investment, and promote innovation.

Referring to cultural ties, President Poudel said both countries are inspired by the teachings of Gautam Buddha, and that Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, serves as a strong bridge between the peoples of Nepal and Japan. He thanked Japan for its support in the development of Lumbini and noted that the contribution of the Nepali migrant community to Japan’s socio-economic sector has also helped strengthen bilateral relations.

On the occasion, State Minister Iwao said President Poudel’s role in safeguarding the constitution and democracy, particularly following the events of September 8-9 in Nepal, has been highly praised internationally. He reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for peace, stability, and democratic consolidation in Nepal.

He added that Nepal’s peace and prosperity are linked to peace and development in the wider region and expressed Japan’s hope for the successful conduct of the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.

The Japanese State Minister also assured continued Japanese support for Nepal’s development, informing that decisions have been made to reconstruct the flood-damaged Kathmandu–Sindhuli road and to construct an underpass at Kathmandu–Koteshwor to improve traffic management.

On the invitation of the Japanese government, President Poudel is currently in Japan with a Nepali delegation, including First Lady Sabita Poudel, holding high-level meetings on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Nepal–Japan diplomatic relations. President Poudel departed for Japan on Sunday night for a four-day official visit.