JICA Pledges Continued Support for Nepal’s Infrastructure and Human Resource Development
Japan has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Nepal’s development, with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr Tanaka Akihiko concluding a four-day official visit focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing key development projects. The visit, held from July 26 to 29, coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan and underscored both countries’ shared commitment to sustainable development.
During his visit, Dr Tanaka met with senior government officials, including Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle, Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal, to review ongoing projects and discuss future areas of cooperation aligned with Nepal’s national development priorities.
A major highlight of the visit was Dr Tanaka’s participation in the inauguration of the Nagdhunga Tunnel, Nepal’s first road tunnel, which is expected to improve connectivity between the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, western Nepal and the Indian border. He also attended the signing of a JPY 410 million grant agreement under the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), aimed at enhancing the leadership and professional capacity of Nepal’s civil service.
Dr Tanaka visited Patan Secondary School, rebuilt with Japanese assistance following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, and inspected JICA-supported aviation safety facilities at Tribhuvan International Airport. Expressing confidence in Nepal’s resilience and progress, he reaffirmed JICA’s continued support for the country’s long-term development through investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, disaster resilience and public sector capacity building.
