NATIONAL 1 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Important Stopover

The first ever visit by Japanese Prime Minister to Nepal will cement ties between the two countries

By KESHAB POUDEL

Whether they are the farmers in Ramechhap districts or fishermen in Kaski district all of them have somehow benefitted from the Japanese assistance.

Japan - the biggest donor to Nepal - has helped Nepal in different sectors including infrastructure development, agriculture and health.

So when the Prime Minister of Japan is coming for the first ever visit to this Himalayan Kingdom, it is sure to cause ripples. Japanese PM Yoshiro Mori is coming to Nepal on August 25 as a part of his tour to South Asian countries.

Though Mori's visit is going to be a brief one, it is expected to have a long lasting impact on the economic cooperation between the two countries.

Ever since the Japanese monk Ekai Kawaguchi visited Nepal one hundred years ago, the people-to-people level contact between the two monarchial countries have been increasing. In the last five decades of cooperation between two countries, Japanese government has helped construct the Kulekhani hydropower project, one of the largest hydropower projects in Nepal.

Another major Japanese contribution is going to be the Dhulikhel-Bardibas road that will be the shorter route to link Kathmandu with the eastern parts of the country.

"Japan's contribution to Nepalese development is praise-worthy and solid," said Dr. Badri Prasad Shrestha, former Nepalese Ambassador to Japan. "The decision by Japanese Prime Minister to pay a short visit to Nepal shows how Japan gives attention to Nepal."

After the restoration of democracy, Japanese Prime Minister is the first foreign head of state from industrialized nation to visit Nepal. Few months ago, British foreign secretary Robin Cook had visited Nepal.

From tourism to health sector, Japanese government continues to involve in the development activities in Nepal. Japan helped build the first Teaching Hospital at Maharajgunj. The support to modernize the Kanti Children Hospital and establishment of regional T.B. Hospital at Thimi are other milestones of Japanese cooperation.

From various bridges in Kathmandu valley to installation of RADAR system at TIA, there is hardly any sector untouched by Japanese assistance.

Apart from sophisticated and technical infrastructure building, Japanese assistance have also made an impact on agriculture. Japan has helped increase the production of fruits like Junar in Sindhuli and Ramechhap districts by introducing new varieties.

"As one of the world's least developed countries, Nepal can still get more cooperation from Japan. The visit should be utilized to get those benefits," said Dr. Yadav Prasad Panta, another former Nepalese envoy to Japan.