Nepal Ambassador Nominee Withdraws Candidacy Amid Conflict of Interest Concerns

Jigyan Kumar Thapa, nominated as Nepal’s ambassador to Japan, has withdrawn his candidacy following concerns over a potential conflict of interest linked to his Japanese permanent residency status.

Parliamentary Hearing Committee Chair Bodha Narayan Shrestha informed the committee on Monday that Thapa had decided to withdraw his name and would soon submit a formal application. Thapa’s parliamentary hearing, scheduled for October 14, was postponed after lawmakers questioned his permanent residency status in Japan. Although he claimed to have renounced it, the committee sought clarification regarding Article 291 of Nepal’s Constitution and the timing of his renunciation.

The committee also sought information from the Japanese government through Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.