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Symposium on
A Century of Nepali Students in Japan and Perspective for the 21st Century
April 7, 2002.
Speech by Mr. Takamichi Okabe, charge d' Affaires at the Embassy of Japan
Hon'ble Amod Prasad Upadhyaya, Minister for Education and Sports
Members of JUSAN
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my pleasure to welcome you all in today's symposium on " A century of Nepali students in Japan and perspective for the 21st century". As the title suggests, the symposium is being organized to mark the 100th Anniversary of Nepali students in Japan. I am also very happy to say that Nepali students have had a long history of friendship with Japan. One can easily understand the difficulties faced by Nepali students in those days. However, through their gallant efforts, they succeeded in their mission.
I am also glad to say that a hundred years ago the government of Nepal had chosen my country, Japan, for higher education for Nepali youths for the first time. Japan had a history of receiving foreign students at the time when Nepalese students went there. In Japan, possibly, Nepalese were the first government-sponsored students during that period.
Although Japan and Nepal were physically distant and separated in those days, by virtue of being Asians and having a culture that is closely linked to the Japanese traditional culture and history from time immemorial, I can understand the strong spiritual links that existed then, and still continue to exist between the people of Japan and Nepal.
Apart from connections through Buddhism, many Hindu deities worshipped in Nepal are also revered in Japan. Therefore, commonalties between our two countries have helped to bring us closer.
The Government of Japan granted scholarships to Nepal soon after the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956. Hundreds of Nepali youths have received higher education in Japan since then. In the recent years, non-governmental scholarships have also been increased. Students from Asia occupy the largest number of foreign students in Japan and the number is increasing every year.
I understand over a hundred Nepali students have returned from Japan upon completion of their studies and are now employed and engaged in their respective fields and contributing towards the development of Nepal in every possible way. Almost a similar number of Nepali students are studying in Japan at present and I hope the number of Nepali students will increase in Japan in the years to come.
I sincerely wish today's symposium success and the eminent people taking part in the discussion will be able to shed light on the future of human resources development for the advancement of Nepal in the 21st century. I would also like to thank all of you for your active participation.
Thank you
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