Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka hosted a reception at his official residence in Tahachal on Wednesday to celebrate the 63rd auspicious birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito. Around 400 guests including Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, National Assembly Vice-Chairperson Urmila Aryal, former prime ministers, former ministers, ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations in Nepal, members of the Federal Parliament and government officials among others attended the program, read a statement issued by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal. Ambassador Kikuta welcomed all the guests mentioning his pleasure at finally being able to host the reception after three years.

It is the fifth year of the “Reiwa (beautiful harmony)” Era in Japan, which started in 2019.

In October, 2019, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari had attended the Ceremonies of the Accession to the Throne of the Emperor. The Ambassador also said that the high-level exchanges stalled by COVID-19, had resumed with the visit of Takei Shunsuke, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, to Nepal last November. On the occasion, the Foreign Minister's Commendation for Fiscal Year 2022 was presented to Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN). The year 2022 marked the 120th anniversary since the first eight Nepali students were dispatched to Japan and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of JUAAN. The Commendation was awarded in recognition of JUAAN’s contribution to the long history of educational exchanges between Japan and Nepal. Dr Prabin Shrestha, the President of JUAAN delivered a thank-you speech in the program.