Kanagawa, Japan – In a heartfelt meeting today, Governor Yuji Kuroiwa of Kanagawa Prefecture met with Jigan Kumar Thapa, who has served as an advisor in local development and policy formulation for the past 10 years. During the meeting, Governor Kuroiwa expressed deep appreciation for Thapa’s tireless efforts and exceptional contributions to the region, extending his sincere gratitude for the remarkable work Thapa has done over the years.
Governor Kuroiwa highlighted Thapa’s influential role in not only shaping the regional development of Kanagawa but also in fostering international connections. “Jigan Kumar Thapa’s expertise has been crucial in advancing the internationalization of Kanagawa Prefecture,” he said. “Through his hard work, he has significantly promoted Nepalese culture and raised the profile of Nepal in Japan, especially as the Nepalese community in Japan has expanded.”
In addition to his contributions to local development, the Governor acknowledged Thapa’s deep understanding of both Japanese society and government structures. He emphasized how Thapa’s vast experience and solid relationships with Japan’s governmental bodies have strengthened the diplomatic ties between Japan and Nepal. Looking ahead to the 70th anniversary of Japan-Nepal diplomatic relations in 2026, Governor Kuroiwa announced that Kanagawa Prefecture would host a special event to mark the occasion and celebrate the enduring partnership between the two nations.
Thapa, during the meeting, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the growth of Kanagawa and reiterated his commitment to utilizing the knowledge he has gained in Japan for Nepal’s continued development. “The insights I’ve gained from Kanagawa’s policy formulation process will be crucial to Nepal’s future development,” he remarked. “I am dedicated to using the expertise I’ve developed in Japan to continue driving Nepal’s progress and further strengthening our relationship with Japan.”
In addition, Thapa presented Governor Kuroiwa with a copy of his newly published book, “Japan: Dreams, Struggles, and Success,” along with a Japanese-language digest version, as a token of appreciation for the Governor’s support.
The meeting was held at the Kanagawa Prefectural Government office and was attended by various officials from the Policy Formulation Division and other senior staff members.
As per Kanagawa’s regulations, the maximum tenure for the advisory position is 10 years, meaning Thapa’s role will conclude on March 31. Looking to the future, he expressed his ongoing commitment to collaborating with the Nepalese government, the Nepalese Embassy in Japan, and various international organizations to further strengthen the bilateral ties between Nepal and Japan.