New dimension in Nepal-Japan relations: Sakata

Kathmandu, Jan 10 : Director of the International Press Division of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Natsuko Sakata has said that the visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono to Nepal has added a new dimension to the age-old Japan-Nepal relations.

Talking to editors of the Nepali media at a programme here on Wednesday evening, Mr Sakata, who is also part of the Japanese Foreign Minister’s delegation, said the visit also opens door to exchange of high-level visits in the future and expansion of relations at the people’s level.

He was of the view that the visit would give continuity to exchange of high-level visits and talks at senior political level, which had not been able to take place since a long time. The air service agreement renewed today will also contribute to exchange of visits between Nepal and Japan.

Stating that Japan, as a friendly nation of Nepal, has been supporting the country’s socio-economic, cultural, educational and various other sectors since a long time, Sakata added that Japan wishes to see a prosperous Nepal, would continue its cooperation in the days to come.

Inclusion of Nepal as a source country for labour with the recent change in the labour law of Japan will provide jobs for Nepali workers in Japan’s labour market. “The process to select workers under the new labour provision will begin from coming April in nine countries including Nepal,” Sakata shared.

He also shared that skills Nepali workers will be listed for 14 sectors including construction, industry, agriculture, fishery, hotel, service sector, food production, automobiles, among others.

The basis for selection of such workers will be determined in the near future. Of the two major bases, one will be the job efficiency and experience and another Japanese language skills, he said. (RSS)