President Ram Chandra Paudel met with Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday. .
During the meeting, President Paudel, who is on a four-day visit to Japan, highly appreciated the assistance provided and the role played by Japan as an important and reliable development partner in Nepal's socio-economic development.
“Japan is supporting Nepal in areas such as human resources, health, agriculture, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and cultural preservation, and Nepal and Nepalis have benefited greatly from it,” President Paudel said, according to the President's press advisor Kiran Pokharel.
He also said that both countries are inspired by the teachings and ideals of Gautam Buddha.
“Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, has served as a strong bridge to strengthen the relationship between the people of Nepal and Japan,” President Paudel said.
He said that the long-standing relationship between the two countries has progressed with closer and deeper friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
“The 70th anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations that we are celebrating this year is a milestone in the bilateral relationship established between us,” Paudel said.
Stating that the exchange of high-level visits has further strengthened the relations between the two countries, President Paudel recalled Emperor Naruhito's visit to Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Pokhara and Lumbini during his friendly visit as a Crown Prince in 1987.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Emperor and the Government of Japan for conferring the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on him in 2020.
The President also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Nepal for the goodwill and support of the Government of Japan, and extended an invitation to the Emperor and Empress to visit Nepal at a suitable time.
On the occasion, Emperor Naruhito of Japan said that the anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations should be celebrated with joy.
He mentioned that the memory of his visit to Nepal in 1986 was still afresh, shared President Paudel's Press Advisor Pokharel.
Emperor Naruhito mentioned that he was inspired to study water-related issues after seeing women carrying water pots for drinking water during his trek to Sarangkot in Pokhara.
He said Japan would provide Nepal with all possible assistance and noted that Japan honored President Paudel for his contribution to strengthening Nepal–Japan relations.
At the invitation of the Japanese government, President Paudel, along with First Lady Sabita Paudel, arrived here on Monday to participate in a special ceremony to be held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan.
