Message from the Chief Representative

Reflecting on my previous visit, I distinctly remember the unique atmosphere of Nepal. One moment that stands out is meeting an elder in a mountain village who greeted me with a humble "Namaste" and a warm smile during my trekking journey. I also recall a local woman making her pilgrimage around the sacred Boudhanath Stupa, spinning a prayer wheel as she went. Nepal’s vast cultural diversity and the coexistence of various ethnic groups left a lasting impression on me. In addition, I felt a deep sense of comfort in the natural environment, which, in many ways, resembles the rich nature of my hometown, Nagano, Japan. This feeling is still vivid in my memory.

At that time of my visit, Nepal was undergoing a major transition from a monarchy to a new political system, The country was in the final stages of conflict, with a state of emergency declared amidst widespread turmoil. As I stay and work in Kathmandu now, I often recall the scenes of intense protests I witnessed on the streets 20 years ago. These memories remind me that this was indeed a critical period in Nepal’s history, as the country was on the verge of entering a new era.

Over the past two decades, Nepal has experienced numerous significant events, including the end of the monarchy in 2008, the devastating earthquake in 2015, and the challenges posed by COVID-19 since 2020. Despite these hardships, Nepal has made significant progress with adopting a new constitution, recovering from the earthquake, and implementing decentralization through a federal system. The country is continually advancing in its efforts to build a brighter future.

While Nepal has made strides in economic development, challenges remain. About a quarter of the population still lives in poverty, and the country faces difficulties such as improving socio-economic infrastructure in mountainous regions, enhancing the quality of education and healthcare, strengthening governance, preserving the natural environment, and promoting industrial growth. Nepal is also highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides caused by heavy rains and glacial melt due to climate change. Furthermore, there has been a significant outflow of human resources overseas, and the effects of this are becoming more apparent. Addressing these challenges requires urgent and effective solutions.

Additionally, in Japan, the number of Nepali residents has surpassed 200,000 due to studies, work, and other reasons. The presence of Nepali nationals in Japanese society is growing rapidly, and as a result, the friendship between Japan and Nepal is deepening, with increased human exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Since the establishment of JICA’s projects in Nepal, we have worked tirelessly, with the cooperation of many individuals and organizations, to contribute to Nepal’s development. Currently, our team of 37 staff members at the JICA Nepal Office is united in our efforts, collaborating with various stakeholders, including both countries, to address the challenges mentioned above and strengthen the trust between Japan and Nepal.

As a bridge between Japan and Nepal, I will continue to work with various stakeholders to further develop the trust we have built over the years. I hope this website will serve as an opportunity for you to learn more about JICA's projects in Nepal, and that it will open doors to future co-creation and collaboration for the continued development of both countries.