National 8 (Spotlight Weekly)

Enduring Vision Of Common Asian Values

By ZENJI KAMINAGA, ambassador of Japan to Nepal

This year marks the centenary of the despatch to and arrival of Nepalese students in Japan. It was Nepal's first effort at state level to bring knowledge and technology from overseas in a bid to modernize the country in the beginning of the 20h century.

It is a matter of delight for us to learn that the government of Nepal had chosen my country as the first destination abroad for students. Japan has a history of receiving foreign students since the Meiji Era, when Nepalese students were there. These eight Nepalese students were all accepted by our government and entered their respective universities. In this way, they might have been the first government-sponsored foreign students in Japan.

I believe that the leaders of Nepal and Japan had the vision of sharing the common values of Asia in their aesthetic qualities, ideology and their attitude of compassion, which made it possible to send and receive these students. In this context, the remarkable decision of he leaders at that time and pioneer students' role and activities were the good example of reflection of the time and of shared thoughts of common Asian values.

Although Japan and Nepal physically remained distant till the middle of the 20th century, spiritual bonds existed since the days of the introduction of Buddhism to Japan in the 6th century. In this sense, Japan and Nepal have shared common spiritual, religious, philosophical values for a long, long time.

I am grateful to the Grand Master of Tea Ceremony Mr. Jochi Yabunouchi who has come here with his delegation to participate in this historical ceremony. This tea ceremony, which is really pertinent to this auspicious ceremony of the 100th anniversary, is performed on special occasions such as this. This unique art and culture demonstrates the spiritual aspect of the Japanese people and stresses harmony and coexistence with nature and the unity of the individual and nature. Many experts believe in the Tea Ceremony as a living philosophy.

The Yabunouchi School enjoys 400 of long traditional Tea School originated since the very beginning of tea ceremony history of Japan and is one of the four major Tea Schools. Taking this opportunity, may I introduce and express my hearty gratitude to those people: Grand Master Yabunouchi, his wife, junior Grand Master and its delegation.

Soon after establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, Japan extended cooperation in the field of human resources development of Nepal. The number of Nepalese youths going to Japan has been steadily increasing both under government and non-government programs. I am glad to know that over 60 percent of the returnees are engaged in the teaching profession in Nepal. This obviously helps develop the human resources and skilled manpower required here.

I would like to congratulate Mr. Harendra B. Barua of the embassy, who devoted himself to tracing the lives of the first eight students after they returned home. The book, "Pioneer Nepali Students in Japan: A Century Ago," is a timely souvenir of this anniversary.

(Excerpts from a speech delivered at the commemorative ceremony for the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Nepalese students in Japan and Demonstration of Tea Ceremony)