Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu hosted a National Day Reception on Tuesday to celebrate the 66th birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito.
Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru welcomed around 380 distinguished guests at his official residence in Tahachal. The event was attended by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav as the chief guest, as well as ministers, former prime ministers and ministers, ambassadors, heads of international organizations, senior government officials, and friends of Japan, according to a statement issued by the embassy.
In his address, Ambassador Maeda highlighted the recent visit of President Ram Chandra Paudel to Japan, undertaken to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He said the visit reaffirmed the long-standing friendship between Japan and Nepal and opened avenues for deeper collaboration in the years ahead.
On the occasion, the ambassador reiterated Japan’s continued commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nepal and expressed confidence that the two countries would further deepen their friendship and expand cooperation.
Japan and Nepal established diplomatic relations in 1956, and the two nations have since maintained close ties across development cooperation, infrastructure, education, and cultural exchange.
