By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, June 1: Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Zenji Kaminaga has said that Japan and Nepal share many similarities in terms of geography, climate, culture, history and religion.
“We, Japanese, feel at home when we find common features in geography, plants and other similar things in Nepal,” said Kaminaga, while addressing a discussion programme entitled “Similarities between Japan and Nepal” here on Saturday.
Lying at a distance of about 5,000 kilometres, Nepal and Japan are friendly nations. Japan is locked by sea, while Nepal is a landlocked country.
“About 80 per cent of the land in both the countries is covered by hills and mountains,” he said, adding that Japanese think that high mountains are sacred places where enlightenment is obtained.
Kaminaga, who joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1967, is also the author of Wealth of Asia and Wisdom of Europe.
He said there are cultural and ethnic similarites between the two countries.
He said that because of Buddhism, Japanese visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. He said Japanese mark the Buddha Jayanti or birth anniversary of Lord Buddha on April 8 every year in Japan.
He said Nepalese emperors are respected because they were religious and devoted to the country. “The Japanese emperors respected as they are neat and clean.”
He said Japan feels proud of having diversities in nature and culture. “Japan is a unique country where there are a lot of natural resources.”
Organised by Japan University Students Association, Nepal (JUSAN), the discussion programme was chaired by JUSAN President Dr. Gajendra B. Baniya. Keshav Shrestha, Vice-President of the association, delivered a vote of thanks.