I feel honored to write this message for the Milan Magazine 2025, published on the occasion of JAAN’s 52nd Annual Function.
JAAN has been contributing to strengthening cordial relations between Nepal and Japan through its several activities for a long time. JAAN was established in 1973 to promote friendship and mutual understanding between Nepal and Japan, to exchange knowledge and skills acquired in Japan, and to work as a center of experts.
JAAN was awarded with the Foreign Minister’s Commendation 2023 in recognition of its significant contributions over the years to fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Nepal. For the first time in the history of JAAN, the Rt Honorable president of Nepal graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and released the Milan Magazine during the 50th Annual Function. Similarly, Rt. Honorable Vice-president of Nepal was the Chief Guest for the 51st Annual Function of JAAN and released the Milan Magazine 2024.
As the president of JAAN, I am grateful for receiving valuable award from the Government of Japan and equally encouraged by the participation of high officials from the Government of Nepal in JAAN’s Annual Functions. The Government of Nepal, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security (MOLESS), has entrusted JAAN with the responsibility of conducting the JITCO/TITP Japanese Language Test for the past 15 years continuously. This is a significant recognition from the Government to JAAN. Such valuable award and acknowledgements encourage me and all JAAN members to work even more actively for strengthening the good relations between Nepal and Japan in the days to come.
Diplomatic relation between Nepal and Japan was formally established on September 1, 1956, and the year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relation between the two countries. On this occasion, JAAN has collected articles on “Seven Decades of Japanese Cooperation for Socio-Economic Growth and Development in Nepal” or similar topics and is publishing a special issue of the Milan Magazine on this theme.
I express my sincere gratitude to H. E. Toru Maeda, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, for his continuous and kind support to JAAN and his active participation in JAAN activities. Similarly, I am thankful to Mr. Mizuki Matsuzaki, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal, for his and JICA’s kind support in our program. I would like to thank all the concerned officials of the Embassy of Japan, JICA Nepal, the Government of Nepal, and JAAN members for their kind support in conducting JAAN activities, and I expect the same cooperation in the days to come.
As the Secretary General of the JICA Alumni Association of SAARC Countries (JAAFSC), I am also coordinating JAAFSC activities in the SAARC region and receiving kind cooperation from all the concerned. I am thankful to JICA Officials and Alumni Members from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka for their cordial support of JAAFSC activities. I would also like to thank JICA Head Office, South Asia Department, for their continuous support in JAAN and JAAFSC activities. I am thankful to all Executive Committee Members for their sincere efforts to ensure that JAAN materializes its objectives. I hope JAAN will continue to receive support from all the concerned in its activities to further strengthen the good relations between Nepal and Japan in the future.
I appreciate the efforts of the Chief Editor, Editorial Board, and all article writers for their valuable contribution to MILAN.
Thank you.
Dr. Ram Chandra Bhusal
President
JICA Alumni Association of Nepal (JAAN)
