May 22, Kathmandu- Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya held a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Thursday. Minister Dr. Rana, who is on a visit to Japan, met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo today.

On that occasion, various issues of Nepal-Japan bilateral relations, mutual interests and common concerns were discussed. During the meeting, Minister Dr. Rana thanked the Japanese government and Japanese people on behalf of Nepal for their long-standing support in Nepal's economic, social and other sectors.

They also discussed various aspects of the 70-year history of Nepal-Japan relations. Diplomatic relations were established between Nepal and Japan in 1956. Both countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year.

On the occasion of that meeting, Minister Dr. Rana had extended an invitation to Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi to visit Nepal on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year. On that occasion, Minister Dr. Rana had requested Japan to support Nepal in the future as Nepal is set to graduate from a least developed country to a developing country after 2026.

Minister Dr. Rana urged the Foreign Minister to encourage Japanese industrialists and businessmen to invest in Nepal, saying that there is a lot of investment potential in Nepal and that the Nepalese government will provide security and assurance to foreign investment.

Stating that thousands of Japanese tourists visit Nepal every year to study and observe the natural and cultural wonders of Nepal, including Lumbini, Minister Dr. Rana also discussed the possible cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism in the coming days.

On that occasion, Minister Dr. Rana also expressed special gratitude for the active and creative participation of the Japanese government, led by the Deputy Foreign Minister, in the Sagarmatha Dialogue organized by Nepal this week.