May 10, 2004
Japanese Parliamentarian Mr. Matsushita's Visit to Nepal
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Mr. Tadahiro Matsushita, Member of the House of Representatives and Secretary General of the Japan-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship League paid his fourth visit to Nepal from May 1 to 5. On the third day of his visit, His Majesty King Gyanendra granted an audience to Mr. Matsushita in Narayanhiti Royal Palace. Mr. Matsushita also paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister, Surya Bahadur Thapa and Foreign Minister, Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa.
In his capacity as Committee chairman for JOCV and JICA's other Human Contribution Programs, the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan's largest ruling party, he visited various sites where JOCV's senior volunteers and JICA experts are working. Mr. Matsushita said that he was deeply impressed by the success of the projects run under Japanese assistance and is encouraged to extend enhanced cooperation in various fields for the social-economic development of Nepal. In the course of observation, he also paid inspection visits to the Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention (DWIDP), the Ministry of Water Resources and the Community Development and Forest/Watershed/Conservation project to observe their activities.
In a short press interview, he emphasized the need for everyone to understand democracy and work accordingly to consolidate a democratic system, which will be most suitable for Nepal. He said that Japan is concerned about the present situation of Nepal and that all the people in Nepal should cooperate with each other to resolve the present political situation in the country. He also referred to the upcoming government elections and said that Japan will extend the necessary cooperation whilst hoping that the situation will improve as soon as possible. Furthermore, he ensured the continuous Japanese Government's technical and economic assistance to Nepal in the future.
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