Japan–Nepal relations explained

Japan–Nepal relations are bilateral relations between Japan and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 28 September 1956. Japan has an embassy in Kathmandu, and Nepal has an embassy in Tokyo.

History

Although formal relations were established in 1956, the cultural ties between Nepal and Japan date back to direct people-to-people contact started in 1899.^[1]

Japanese assistance

Much of the aid to Nepal is delivered in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank. Japan is one of the largest aid donors to Nepal.^{[2] [3]} As of May 2009, Japan has provided the following level of financial assistance and donations to Nepal:^[4]

• Loans: 58.4 billion yen
• Grants: 13.6 billion yen
• Technical Cooperation: 42.6 billion yen

Examples of Japanese assistance include:

• In 2001 Japan offered a loan of up to 5,494 million yen for the construction of the Mahankal-Melamchi water treatment plant for Kathmandu.^[5]
  • In 2004, Japan committed a loan of US$160 million (50% of total foreign assistance to the project) for Nepal's biggest hydroelectric project called Kaligandaki 'A'^[6]
• In 2004, Japan agreed to write off a loan of about $200m to Nepal, which was used to fund development projects. The money was to be diverted to poverty alleviation schemes.
• In 2007, in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank and the Dutch Government, Japan provided US$600,000 to develop the water supply and sanitation sector in small towns in Nepal.^[7]
• In 2008, Japan granted US$750,000 to assist Nepal in preparing a project design to improve the quality of air transport services.^[8]

Defence

In 2007, Japan sent self-defence troops to Nepal as part of a United Nations mission to help implement a peace agreement.^[9]

Diasporas

Nepalis in Japan

See also: Nepalis in Japan. As of June 2024, there are about 206,898 Nepalis living in Japan, which makes them the largest South Asian community in the country.^{[10] [11]}

Japanese people in Nepal

See also: Japanese people in Nepal.

As of 2016, there were over 1,000 Japanese people living in Nepal^[12] – mainly expatriates.

See also

• Foreign relations of Japan
• Foreign relations of Nepal

External links

• Embassy of Japan in Nepal
• Embassy of Nepal in Tokyo

Notes and References

1. Web site: Embassy of Japan in Nepal. emb-japan.go.jp. 7 April 2017.
2. News: BBC NEWS - Americas - Analysis: India's Security Council seat bid. bbc.co.uk. 22 September 2004 . 7 April 2017.
3. News: BBC NEWS - South Asia - Japan writes off Nepalese debt. bbc.co.uk. 12 October 2004 . 7 April 2017.
4. Web site: Japan-Nepal Relations. mofa.go.jp. 7 April 2017.
5. Web site: MOFA: ODA Loan to Nepal. mofa.go.jp. 7 April 2017.
6. Web site: Embassy of Japan in Nepal . 2009-05-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050108215414/http://www.np.emb-japan.go.jp/info0403/kaligandakiproject.html . 2005-01-08 .
7. https://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2007/11/26/afx4371582.html
8. https://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2008/01/22/afx4555608.html
9. Web site: Archived copy . . 2017-03-08 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071009122448/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101 . 2007-10-09 .
10. https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/press/13_00047.html 令和６年６月末現在における在留外国人数について
11. Web site: 在留外国人統計（旧登録外国人統計） 結果の概要 | 出入国在留管理庁 .
12. http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/nepal/data.html

    Ministry of Foreign affairs of Japan