NC leader Poudel honoured with Japanese decoration

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Dec. 15: Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Kikuta today handed Ram Chandra Poudel, Nepali Congress leader and former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal, the 2020 Spring Imperial Decoration, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.

Poudel received the decoration on April 29, 2020, in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening the relationship between Japan and Nepal and promoting the interchange of members of the parliaments of both countries.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremony has been unfortunately postponed but was successfully completed today, according to a press release issued by the Japanese embassy today.

“Poudel contributed to the activation of contacts between parliamentarians of the two countries. He established the Japan-Nepal Friendship Parliamentarian League in 1999 when he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal. He was the first Chairman of the League from the beginning until 2017. He was also actively involved in the promotion of bilateral relations by receiving many VIPs from Japan such as His Imperial Highness Prince Akihito and Her Imperial Highness Princess Michiko, Prime Minister MORI Yoshiro, State Minister for Foreign Affairs KIUCHI Minoru, and others. Furthermore, he participated in the 40-year, 50-year and 60-year anniversaries of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and made congratulatory statements,” read the press release.

Japanese Decorations are conferred upon foreigners twice a year, on 29th April and 3^rd November, concurrently with the conferment of decorations and medals to Japanese nationals.

The Order of the Rising Sun is bestowed upon individuals of merit, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the nation or public. This is also conferred upon foreign nationals who have made notable contributions to the promotion of relations between Japan and other countries in areas such as politics and diplomacy, research and education, medicine and social welfare, economy and industry, and culture and sports.