Japan's Ambassador to Nepal, Maeda Toru, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.

During the meeting held at the Minister's office in Singha Durbar, the minister said Nepal's development priorities suggest an ample potential for attracting investment from Japan.  He urged the ambassador to further encourage the investment community at his home for exploring opportunities in Nepal.  

Expressing his happiness over an event titled 'Nepal-2025 World Expo' scheduled to be held in Osaka of Japan, the minister, who also serves as the government's spokesperson, was hopeful that the initiative would offer an opportunity to promote Nepali products, enhancing the bilateral trade ties.

He also informed the ambassador that Nepal and Japan will be observing the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relations in upcoming year 2026 and the same year, Nepal will be graduating from the category of the least developed country to a middle-income developing country. 

Recalling the ministerial level visits from Japan to Nepal in May last year and in November of 2022 for election observation, the minister expressed his confidence that such visits contributed to further strengthening Nepal's democracy and conducting the election impartially. He said that such levels of visits to take place time and again are a milestone in the Nepal-Japan cordial relations. 

Shedding light on Japan's assistance to Nepal's socio-economic development, the minister said the bilateral cooperation will further grow in the days to come. It may be noted that Japan has remained a long and reliable development partner for Nepal's socio-economic endeavors.

Japan's economic cooperation with Nepal includes diverse areas: infrastructure development, human resources development, agriculture, environment conservation and culture.

The minister said Nepal longs for reaping benefits from Japan's experiences, knowledge, skills and technology in its infrastructure development, industrial development, and agriculture and hydropower sector.

The significant presence of Nepali community in Japan is a testament to Nepal-Japan cordial relations, the Minister said, wishing the ambassador a successful term.

He expressed his belief that the matters relating to economic assistance and cooperation, bilateral trade and investment will be the top priorities of Japan during the term of Maeda.

The Government of Japan has been providing annual scholarships in various fields to Nepal's government officials since 2016 under the Japan Development Scholarship (JDS) in human resources development. It has also started providing technical training to Nepali students as Japan has joined the Colombo Plan.

Minister Gurung expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for this support.

Stating that the bilateral ties between the two countries have been advancing in a further close and cordial manner since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them in 1956, Minister Gurung expressed happiness over the bilateral ties remaining equally strong at the people's level even before the establishment of formal diplomatic relations.

He expressed gratitude to the Japanese people and the government, non-governmental organizations and universities for their cooperation in natural disasters including earthquakes, saying Nepal always attaches highest importance to mutual interest and cooperation with Japan.

Minister Gurung stated that Nepal heartily appreciates Japan's unconditional respect for Nepal's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

On the occasion, Ambassador Maeda said Japan enjoys very friendly relations with Nepal and its people. Stating that Japan was always ready to cooperate with Nepal, he stressed the need of further expanding cooperation that is beneficial to both the countries.

According to him, around 200,000 Nepalis are currently engaged in studies, employment and business in Japan. "It has been found that Nepalis have been operating restaurants lately. It's good," the ambassador said.

He said he liked the Nepali food and shared his experience of eating Nepali cuisine 'dal, bhat, tarkari (lentil soup, rice and vegetables),' in the restaurants opened by Nepalis while in Japan.

Stating that he wanted to visit Mustang, Ambassador Maeda said Nepal was rich in terms of nature and culture.

Minister Gurung briefed Ambassador Maeda about the beauty of Lamjung district and the important places to visit there.

Secretary at the Ministry Radhika Aryal, Joint Secretary Kosh Hari Niraula, Information Technology Expert Dr Shaligram Parajuli and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present on the occasion.