Kathmandu, Jan 14: Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Yutaka Kikuta said there has been special relations between Nepal and Japan, laying emphasis on the crucial role of JICA Alumni Association of Nepal (JAAN) in consolidating the persisting ties.
Ambassador Kikuta said this at a
Sakura (Japanese Cheery) plantation programme hosted by JAAN in Lele, Godabari
on the occasion of its golden jubilee.
Chief Representative of JICA Nepal,
Akimitsu Okubo shared that the Association has been extending support to the
community development of Nepal by providing Japanese volunteers. He claimed
that the Association has also played crucial role in importing Japanese
technology.
Godabari Municipality Mayor
Gajendra Maharjan extended thanks for the assistance being provided to the
municipality and urged the Japanese Embassy, JICA Nepal and JAAN to continue
such cooperation in coming days as well.
JAAN Chair, Dr Ram Chandra Bhusal
informed that the Association has been working to enhance income generation and
capacity building of community people in Lele area of Godavari so as to improve
their livelihood.
Owing gratefulness to the ward no.
5 of the municipality for providing land and also supporting in the development
of Sakura garden, he expressed his confidence that the garden will further
consolidate the Nepal-Japan relations.
JAAN developed a Sakura garden by
planting 40 Japanese cherry saplings while organizing several programmes to
celebrate the golden jubilee.
It may be noted that Japan had also
offered Foreign Minister's Commendation to JAAN in recognition of its
remarkable contributions to strengthen Nepal-Japan relations.
JAAN is a social organization of
the Nepali students who returned Nepal after studying in Japan. The Association
has been active since 1973.