Ambassador Kikuta's Message: 2024 New Year Greetings
2024/1/1
1. At the outset
Happy New Year to you all for the year 2024 A.D. and the 6th year of the Reiwa Era (in Japan).
To recall the year 2023, I should look back to December 26, 2022. On that day, Rt. Hon. Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ was sworn in as the Prime Minister of this country. Although his party had been a part of the ruling coalition led by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba before the election of Members of the House of Representatives in November 2022, Mr. Dahal switched to a new coalition with former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and others on the eve of December 26. However, within less than three months, he changed the coalition partners again to Mr. Deuba and others. Following this political swing, Rt. Hon. Mr. Ramchandra Paudel, who has a close relationship with Japan, was sworn in as the President of Nepal on March 13, 2023.
This new administration, established through the rapid and complicated maneuvering, is now facing traditional issues like realization of effective federalism and the Comprehensive Peace Accord. At the same time, it has many pressing challenges for the future, such as graduation from Least-Development Country category and the climate changes. It would be interesting to see how the Nepali people observe the current government grappling with these challenges.
2. The Year 2023
Last year, I was fortunate to have a number of opportunities to host events further promoting the friendship between Japan and Nepal, such as the receptions including that to celebrate His Majesty the Emperor’s Birthday, and handover ceremonies of Japanese Decoration and the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Nepali citizens and organizations who had contributed to the promotion of bilateral relations. It was also good news that a variety of events of the Japanese Association of Nepal took place. Even though we have not yet overcome all of aftereffects of Covid-19, our lives are returning to normal thanks to the efforts of Nepali and Japanese people after the pandemic.
I would also like to celebrate development of symbolic economic cooperation projects by the Japanese Government to Nepal including the completion of the “Emergency School Reconstruction Project (ESRP),” which reconstructed 274 schools destroyed by the Gorkha Earthquake in 2015, and the breakthrough of evacuation tunnel of the Nagdhunga Tunnel. I enjoyed the visits to various areas in Nepal such as Ghorahi Municipality of Dang District and Pyuthan Municipality of Pyuthan District for the events related to the projects under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese Government and had valuable experiences of meeting with local people there.
Turning my eyes to Japan, an increasing number of Nepali people live in Japan nowadays. In general, it is welcome that people-to-people exchanges between the two countries are in an upward trend. The potential ability of Nepali workers to support the aging society attracts more attention recently in Japan. It is my sincere hope that Nepali people live happily in Japan and it will contribute to the progress and prosperity of both countries. On the other hand, the numbers of tourists from Japan to Nepal have not yet recovered as compared with those from other countries after Covid-19 pandemic somewhat subsided. Even in such a situation, we had to address several accidents involving Japanese citizens in Nepal. We hope Japanese tourists prepare enough to travel safely bearing in mind that the possibility of an unexpected incident always exists. At the same time, it is highly expected for Nepal side to further improve the aviation safety and travel convenience.
3. The Year 2024
Internationally, 2023 was a year in turmoil as we witnessed horrifying conflicts and devastating natural disasters all over the world. This year is a year of elections. Presidential or general elections are planned in neighboring South Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and other major countries and regions like Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. The international relations might see a big change as a result of these elections.
As we all know, both Japan and Nepal face various challenges. With regard to the bilateral relations between Japan and Nepal, we are making strenuous efforts to overcome every difficulty occurred during the implementation of economic cooperation projects by Japanese Government to Nepal. I hope the goodwill of Japanese people, as shown in the various projects, would contribute to the development of Nepal as sustainable and effective. I wish that these problems would be resolved one by one in 2024 and it would serve well for further progress of Nepal.
4. Wishing for a Wonderful Year
2024 is the year of “甲辰” (Kinoe-tatsu) in the sexagenary cycle or “ganzhi”, which is a 60-year calendar term originated in ancient China and composed of a combination of 10 elements from natural philosophy and 12 animals. “Kinoe-tatsu” is supposed to be the year symbolizing a beginning and development. I wish bright rays will pour down to you and all your past efforts will bear fruit in this year.
Happy New Year to you all for the year 2024 A.D. and the 6th year of the Reiwa Era (in Japan).
To recall the year 2023, I should look back to December 26, 2022. On that day, Rt. Hon. Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ was sworn in as the Prime Minister of this country. Although his party had been a part of the ruling coalition led by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba before the election of Members of the House of Representatives in November 2022, Mr. Dahal switched to a new coalition with former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and others on the eve of December 26. However, within less than three months, he changed the coalition partners again to Mr. Deuba and others. Following this political swing, Rt. Hon. Mr. Ramchandra Paudel, who has a close relationship with Japan, was sworn in as the President of Nepal on March 13, 2023.
This new administration, established through the rapid and complicated maneuvering, is now facing traditional issues like realization of effective federalism and the Comprehensive Peace Accord. At the same time, it has many pressing challenges for the future, such as graduation from Least-Development Country category and the climate changes. It would be interesting to see how the Nepali people observe the current government grappling with these challenges.
2. The Year 2023
Last year, I was fortunate to have a number of opportunities to host events further promoting the friendship between Japan and Nepal, such as the receptions including that to celebrate His Majesty the Emperor’s Birthday, and handover ceremonies of Japanese Decoration and the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Nepali citizens and organizations who had contributed to the promotion of bilateral relations. It was also good news that a variety of events of the Japanese Association of Nepal took place. Even though we have not yet overcome all of aftereffects of Covid-19, our lives are returning to normal thanks to the efforts of Nepali and Japanese people after the pandemic.
I would also like to celebrate development of symbolic economic cooperation projects by the Japanese Government to Nepal including the completion of the “Emergency School Reconstruction Project (ESRP),” which reconstructed 274 schools destroyed by the Gorkha Earthquake in 2015, and the breakthrough of evacuation tunnel of the Nagdhunga Tunnel. I enjoyed the visits to various areas in Nepal such as Ghorahi Municipality of Dang District and Pyuthan Municipality of Pyuthan District for the events related to the projects under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese Government and had valuable experiences of meeting with local people there.
Turning my eyes to Japan, an increasing number of Nepali people live in Japan nowadays. In general, it is welcome that people-to-people exchanges between the two countries are in an upward trend. The potential ability of Nepali workers to support the aging society attracts more attention recently in Japan. It is my sincere hope that Nepali people live happily in Japan and it will contribute to the progress and prosperity of both countries. On the other hand, the numbers of tourists from Japan to Nepal have not yet recovered as compared with those from other countries after Covid-19 pandemic somewhat subsided. Even in such a situation, we had to address several accidents involving Japanese citizens in Nepal. We hope Japanese tourists prepare enough to travel safely bearing in mind that the possibility of an unexpected incident always exists. At the same time, it is highly expected for Nepal side to further improve the aviation safety and travel convenience.
3. The Year 2024
Internationally, 2023 was a year in turmoil as we witnessed horrifying conflicts and devastating natural disasters all over the world. This year is a year of elections. Presidential or general elections are planned in neighboring South Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and other major countries and regions like Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. The international relations might see a big change as a result of these elections.
As we all know, both Japan and Nepal face various challenges. With regard to the bilateral relations between Japan and Nepal, we are making strenuous efforts to overcome every difficulty occurred during the implementation of economic cooperation projects by Japanese Government to Nepal. I hope the goodwill of Japanese people, as shown in the various projects, would contribute to the development of Nepal as sustainable and effective. I wish that these problems would be resolved one by one in 2024 and it would serve well for further progress of Nepal.
4. Wishing for a Wonderful Year
2024 is the year of “甲辰” (Kinoe-tatsu) in the sexagenary cycle or “ganzhi”, which is a 60-year calendar term originated in ancient China and composed of a combination of 10 elements from natural philosophy and 12 animals. “Kinoe-tatsu” is supposed to be the year symbolizing a beginning and development. I wish bright rays will pour down to you and all your past efforts will bear fruit in this year.
January 1, 2024
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan
KIKUTA Yutaka
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan
KIKUTA Yutaka