President Paudel meets Emperor Naruhito

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 4: President Ramchandra Paudel has met with Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, highlighting the deep-rooted friendship and developmental partnership between the two nations. 

The meeting, held as part of a four-day official visit, serves as a cornerstone for celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan. Accompanying the President on this historic trip is the First Lady, Sabita Paudel, along with a high-level Nepali delegation.

During their dialogue, President Paudel expressed profound gratitude for Japan’s consistent role as a reliable partner in Nepal’s socio-economic evolution. He noted that Japanese assistance has been instrumental across various sectors, including infrastructure, health, agriculture, and environmental conservation, directly benefiting the lives of the Nepali people. 

The President further highlighted the spiritual ties connecting the two countries, citing the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini as a symbolic bridge that continues to foster harmony and mutual understanding.

The meeting also served as a moment of reflection on personal and historical milestones. President Paudel recalled Emperor Naruhito’s visit to Nepal in 1987 as a Prince, noting how the Emperor's experiences in regions like Pokhara and Lumbini have left a lasting impression. For his part, Emperor Naruhito shared a poignant memory of observing women carrying water jars in Sarangkot, an experience he credited with sparking his academic interest in global water issues. 

The Emperor reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Nepal, particularly in the realm of disaster management and humanitarian aid.

The visit comes at a time of high-level diplomatic activity, as President Paudel is also scheduled to hold talks with the Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. Earlier in the week, the President engaged with the Japanese business community, encouraging further investment in Nepal’s burgeoning sectors such as hydropower and information technology. As the 70th-anniversary celebrations continue, this state visit underscores a shared vision for a future defined by closer cooperation and enduring friendship between the two Asian nations.

Japanese PM Sanae calls on President 

Meanwhile, President Ramchandra Paudel met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. 

During the meeting, the President conveyed Nepal’s gratitude for Japan’s consistent support and goodwill. He highlighted Japan as a crucial development partner, noting that Japanese assistance, ranging from grants and technical aid to multilateral loans, has been vital for Nepal’s infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental conservation. President Paudel emphasised that as Nepal prepares to graduate from the status of Least Developed Country, continued Japanese support remains essential for sustainable growth.

The President also invited increased Japanese investment, assuring that Nepal has implemented legal and institutional reforms to foster a business-friendly environment. 

He noted that the spiritual connection through Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, serves as a 

 profound cultural link between the two nations.

Prime Minister Sanae reaffirmed that Nepal’s stability is vital for the region. She announced that Japan would send observers for Nepal’s upcoming parliamentary elections on March 5, wishing for a successful democratic process. Highlighting people-to-people ties, the Prime Minister praised the contributions of N epali students in Japan and the interest of Japanese mountaineers in Nepal’s Himalayas. 

She pledged ongoing support for Nepal’s information technology sector and democratic institutions.

President Paudel was accorded a guard of honour in Tokyo. The Government of Japan extended the guard of honour to President Paudel, who is on a four-day visit to Japan. At the invitation of the Japanese government, President Paudel arrived here on Monday leading a Nepali delegation, accompanied by First Lady Sabita Paudel, to attend a special ceremony held in Tokyo on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan.