Kathmandu, October 14
Jigyan Kumar Thapa, Nepal’s ambassador-designate to Japan, has pledged not to provide undue favours based on personal connections, saying he would adopt a zero-tolerance approach to such practices.
Speaking during his parliamentary hearing on Wednesday, Thapa said he would prioritise good governance, transparency and accountability, including maintaining proper records, addressing complaints, publishing service fees and procedures, and using the embassy’s budget, staff and assets efficiently.
Thapa outlined plans to strengthen Nepal-Japan economic ties, presenting Japan not only as a development assistance partner but also as a long-term economic partner for Nepal.
He said he would work to attract Japanese investment, facilitate investment study visits, improve access for Nepali products to the Japanese market, and strengthen engagement with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), business associations and the private sector.
He also pledged to promote Nepal’s mountains, natural attractions, culture and Lumbini, explore opportunities for Japanese flights to Bhairahawa and Pokhara, and promote wellness tourism targeting 2027.
Thapa said Nepal could benefit from Japanese expertise in climate adaptation, weather forecasting, satellite information, waste management and digital governance. He also pledged to expand cooperation in education, technology, disaster response and environmental protection.
If appointed, he said, he would focus on improving consular services for nearly 300,000 Nepalis living in Japan through digital services and better embassy infrastructure. He also promised to publish progress reports on the embassy’s website every four months.
During the hearing, Thapa clarified that he had renounced his permanent residency (PR) status in Japan. He said the Japanese immigration authorities had sent confirmation of the renunciation to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Thapa said he first went to Japan in 2000 and had worked to promote Nepal there, including by wearing the traditional Nepali Dhaka topi and hosting cultural programmes.
He said he had applied for the ambassadorial position because he wanted to work for Nepal. His PR status had been questioned in a complaint that argued he was ineligible for the post.
Lawmakers raised further questions about his long stay in Japan and whether he would return to Nepal after completing his ambassadorial term.
CPN-UML lawmaker Prem Prasad Dangal asked whether Thapa would return to Nepal after serving as ambassador, given that he had lived in Japan for more than 25 years.
Nepali Congress lawmaker Anand Dhungana questioned the credibility of renouncing foreign residency status and then representing Nepal as an ambassador.
CPN-UML lawmaker Padma Aryal also sought clarification about Thapa’s previous PR status, his work with local government authorities in Japan, and the residency status of his family. Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Madhu Kumar Chaulagain asked whether his decision to renounce PR had been strategic.
Thapa said his wife and children retained Nepali citizenship.
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