Nepal-Japan Relations

Nepal-Japan Relations

Bilateral Relations

Nepal-Japan relations date back to the late nineteenth century. The relationship, which became formal with the establishment of diplomatic relations on 1 September 1956, is marked by friendliness, goodwill and cooperation. Nepal established its embassy in Tokyo in 1965, and Japan established its embassy in Kathmandu in 1968. Nepal has Honorary Consulate General in Osaka. Japan is a longstanding friend and a major development partner of Nepal.  The year 2026 marks the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. There are series of events being planned for marking the occasion including high-level visits from both sides.

Historical Linkages

Japanese Buddhist Monk Rev. Ekai Kawaguchi first came to Nepal on his way to Tibet in 1899 in search of holy Buddhist scriptures. He introduced Nepal and highlighted the importance of Lumbini to the Japanese people through his writings and publications. During the Rana Regime in Nepal, eight Nepali students had visited Japan for pursuing higher education in 1902, which made Nepalis to come closer to Japanese culture and technology. The year 2022 was celebrated as the 120^th anniversary of the International Student Exchange between Nepal and Japan.

Exchange of Visits

High-level exchange of visits between the two countries has contributed to strengthen the bilateral relations. Growing engagements at the people-to-people level have further consolidated these relations.

Visits from the Nepali side

President of Nepal Rt. Hon. Mr. Ramchandra Paudel paid an official visit to Japan from 1 to 4 February 2026 in connection with celebrating the historic 70^th anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations. He addressed a special reception hosted by the Government of Japan in Tokyo to commemorate the occasion. During the visit, the President and his wife had a State call on Their Majesties the Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan. The President also had a meeting with Prime Minister of Japan H. E. Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae. Various matters of Nepal-Japan relations and cooperation were discussed on those occasions.

The then President of Nepal Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari visited Japan from 20 to 22 October 2019 to attend the Ceremony of Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo. During the visit, she expressed hearty congratulations to the Government and people of Japan on the happy occasion of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor and extended best wishes for peace, prosperity and happiness of the people of Japan in the new Reiwa Era.

The then Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali paid an official visit to Japan from 1 to 5 November 2018.

Visits from the Japanese side

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid an official visit to Nepal on 5 May 2024. Besides holding bilateral talks with the then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Ms. KAMIKAWA paid courtesy calls on Rt. Hon. President Mr. Ramchandra Paudel and then Prime Minister Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan H.E. Mr. KONO Taro visited Nepal from 9 to 10 January 2019.

H.E. Mr. TAKEI Shunsuke, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visited Nepal from 20 to 21 November 2022.

Hon. Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, leading a team of the Government of Japan, visited Nepal from 4 to 6 February 2026 to observe the election of the House of Representatives held on 5 March 2026.

Hon. Ms. IKUINA Akiko, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan visited Nepal from 16 to 17 May 2025 to participate in the Sagarmatha Sambaad.

Development Cooperation

Japan has been contributing to the socio-economic development of Nepal since 1954. Japan assists Nepal in the forms of bilateral grant, bilateral loan, multilateral aid, and technical assistance. It also provides concessional loan for the infrastructure development in Nepal. The major areas of Japanese economic cooperation to Nepal include human resource development, health, agriculture development, infrastructure development, hydropower, environment protection and culture, among others.

The construction of Sindhuli Road is one of the key projects under the Japanese development cooperation.

Japan, through an Exchange of Notes on 3 December 2025, has agreed to provide loan equivalent to 34.59 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 31 billion Nepali rupees) for the improvement of the Koteshwor Intersection in Kathmandu.

Japan has also provided extensive loan assistance to Nepal such as for the Kulekhani (I and II) Hydro-power Station, Kali Gandaki 'A' Hydroelectric Station, Udaypur Cement Industry, and Melamchi Water Supply Project.

The Government of Japan started providing technical training to Nepali students since Japan joined the Colombo Plan in 1954. Japan also provides Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and Senior Volunteers to Nepal under JICA Volunteer Program. JOCV Nepal program was launched in 1970.

Japan has provided assistance to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, National Tuberculosis Center, Kanti Children's Hospital, etc. Assistance in primary health care including maternal and childcare is considered important in the health sector of Nepal.

On human resource development, Japan has been providing annual scholarships to Government officials of Nepal in various fields under the Japan Development Scholarship (JDS) scheme starting from 2016.

Trade and Investment

Japan is one of the important trading partners of Nepal. Nepal’s major exports to Japan include pashmina products, ready-made garments, woolen goods, carpets, handicrafts, Nepali paper and paper products, leather goods, and silverware and ornaments. Likewise, Nepal’s major imports from Japan include vehicles and spare parts, electronic goods, machinery and equipment, iron and steel products, photographic goods, medical equipment and fabric. There is an ample scope of collaboration in trade sector by introducing Japanese production process or integrating product development by exporting niche raw materials to Japan.

Nepal actively participated in the World Expo which was held in Osaka, Japan in 2025 including through display of competitive Nepali products.

Nepal’s Trade with Japan

Figures in thousands

Source: Department of Customs, Nepal

Japan is one of the major investors and major source countries for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nepal. In the year 2080/81, the FDI from Japan was worth Rs. 363,000,000. The Overall Japanese investment in Nepal has reached Rs. 3,680,000,000. (Source: Department of Industries, Nepal)

The Japanese side is interested to invest in various sectors such as hydropower, agriculture and infrastructure building. The infrastructure building includes power generation, roads, airports, bridges, water supply facilities and telecommunications. Several companies under Nepal-Japan joint ventures related to hotels, TV assembly industries, horticulture and construction are operating in Nepal.

Tourism and Culture

Nepal is an attractive destination for Japanese tourists. Lumbini, the Himalayas, age-old traditions and cultural artifacts, temples and genial nature of Nepali people are some of the attractions to the Japanese tourists. Nepal Airlines operates regular flights in the Kathmandu-Narita-Kathmandu sector.

The Sagarmatha (Everest) International School, established in Tokyo in April 2013, runs classes from Nursery to Grade 12 and GCE A- level.

Japanese Tourists visiting Nepal

(Source: Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation/NTB)

Bilateral Consultation Mechanism

Nepal and Japan have established the Bilateral Consultative Mechanism (BCM) between the Foreign Ministries. The Mechanism provides an opportunity for both sides to discuss various aspects of bilateral relations and share views on common issues in regional and multilateral forums. The first and second meetings of the Mechanism were held in March 2015 and June 2016 in Tokyo and Kathmandu respectively. The Memorandum of Cooperation on Conducting Bilateral Consultations was signed in Kathmandu on 9 January 2019 between the two sides during the visit of the Foreign Minister of Japan to Nepal. The fourth BCM Meeting was held on 18 April 2023 in Tokyo.

Nepali Diaspora

It is estimated that the number of Nepali nationals living in Japan is more than 270,000. Every year a large number of Nepali students go to Japan to pursue higher studies and learn Japanese language. The number of Nepali students studying in Japan ranks in top three among foreign students.

Cooperation in regional and multilateral forums

Japan is an observer to SAARC since April 2007. SAARC-Japan Special Fund (SJSF) has facilitated implementation of many activities. Nepal and Japan have been working closely on the matters of mutual interests in the multilateral forums including the United Nations.

North East Asia Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singh Durbar, Kathmandu

March 2026