Japan-Nepal Relations

Mr. SHIMADA, as the head of Japan's election observer mission for the 3rd Election of the House of Representatives of Nepal on March 5, visited 7 polling stations and a counting center (Note) in Kathmandu. He inspected the voting and counting procedures and received briefing from and exchanged views with officials in charge of the election regarding the operation of polling and counting stations.

(Note)

Visited polling stations
（1）Lalitpur 2:Patan High School
（2）Lalitpur 2:Patan Durbar Square
（3）Kathmandu 8:Kathmandu Durbar Square
（4）Kathmandu 1:C.V.S. Niketan, Baneshwor
（5）Bhaktapur1:Shree Padma Secondary School
（6）Kathmandu 3:Bode, Khanepani Sansthan
（7）Kathmandu 5:Maharajganj, Sankha Park, Rajat Jayanti

Visited counting center

• Co-operative Training and Research Center

On March 4, Mr. SHIMADA paid a courtesy call on The Rt. Hon. Mr. Ramchandra Paudel, President of Nepal.
At the outset, Mr. SHIMADA expressed his gratitude for President Paudel's visit to Japan in February, which became a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries. He also explained that Japan places importance on Nepal's stable democratization and has decided to dispatch an election observer mission headed by himself, expressing his hope that the election would be conducted in a peaceful manner. Furthermore, referring to the development projects carried out by Japan up to now, Mr. SHIMADA stated that Japan supports Nepal's efforts to further consolidate democracy and is committed to continuing its cooperation for Nepal's development. He also requested the President to extend further support to make a grand celebration on the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Nepal this year.
President Paudel responded that his visit to Japan was a fulfilling one and he was able to have a meaningful exchange during the audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, as well as the meeting with Prime Minister TAKAICHI. He also mentioned that Japan is an important development partner for Nepal and expressed his gratitude for the assistance Japan has extended to Nepal up to now. He also stated that he would like to join to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Nepal in various events.

On March 4, Mr. SHIMADA held a meeting with Mr. Ram Prasad Bhandari, Acting Chief Commissioner of Election Commission of Nepal.
Mr. SHIMADA explained that Japan places importance on Nepal's stable democratization and has decided to send the election observer mission to the 3rd election of the House of Representatives, following the previous two elections. He also stated his expectation that the election will be free, fair and transparent, and that the series of political process would proceed smoothly.
Mr. Bhandari expressed his gratitude for Japan's dispatch of high-level election observer mission to the election of Nepal and for Japan's support for the election. He explained the latest state of the preparation of the election.

On March 4, Mr. SHIMADA attended the reception hosted by Election Commission of Nepal, where he met with the ministers of the Interim Government of Nepal: Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal; Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal; and Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Anil Kumar Sinha.