INFOJAPAN. The Great East Japan Earthquake. Embassy of Japan in Nepal. Message from the Ambassador... Vol. 28, March 2011

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1 INFOJAPAN Embassy of Japan in Nepal Vol. 28, March 2011 The Great East Japan Earthquake Prime Minister Khanal with Ambassador Mr. Mizuno and other high ranking government officials CA Chairman Mr. Nemwang visited the Embassy for condolence Message from the Ambassador... At this juncture of unprecedented national crises in Japan, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the people and Government of Nepal for providing 5,000 blankets for the evacuees suffering from severe cold. Furthermore, I am most grateful for the kind messages of concern and sympathy that we have received from so many Nepalese. I believe both the government and people of Japan will work together hand-in-hand for the quick recovery of infrastructure in Tohoku District and for peace for the victims and their families. A n unprecedented earthquake of magnitude 9.0 struck Japan at 14:46 pm local time on Friday, March 11, 2011, which triggered a huge tsunami, part of which exceeded 14 meters in height and destroyed whole fishing towns, and nuclear reactor plants. It was the most powerful earthquake Japan has suffered in its long seismic history, and caused over 13,000 people to lose their lives, with over 14,000 still missing. The number of missing people is still increasing for in some cases whole families were washed away and there was no one left to report this to the authorities. On Monday, March 14, the first working day after March 11th, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Jhal Nath Khanal visited the Embassy, accompanied by the Chief Secretary and MOFA Secretary. During the meeting with Ambassador Mizuno, the Prime Minister expressed his deep condolences to the victims of the enormously powerful earthquake and tsunami. On March 16 and 17, a Book of Condolence was opened at the Embassy Hall. It provided an opportunity for Nepalese and Japanese residents in Nepal to express sympathy to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Some 700 people including Heads of Diplomatic Missions and high ranking government officials signed the condolence book. For information on how to donate to help the people of Japan, please visit the Embassy website- Tatsuo Mizuno Ambassador of Japan to Nepal

2 UNMIN Leaves Nepal O Ambassador Mr. Mizuno with Japanese Self-Defense Force Personnel at the UNMIN headquarter on the day of flag lowering ceremony n January 15, the United Nations in Nepal (UNMIN) left Nepal after completing its four year mission for the peace process in Nepal. The United Nation's Security Council established UNMIN in January 2007 in order to monitor the management of arms and armed personnel, among other duties, following the decade-long conflict between Maoist insurgents and the state. At the request of the UN, Japan sent four six-member teams of Self-Defense Force Personnel between March 2007 and January 2011, to serve as military observers for UNMIN. In addition to working at UNMIN Headquarters, the Japanese teams, along with a team from other countries, conducted monitoring of the management of arms and armed personnel at the Maoist Cantonment Sites in seven locations, namely, Kailali, Surkhet, Rolpa, Nawalparasi, Chitwan, Sindhuli Mandi and Ilam, as well as at the Nepal Army's camp in Kathmandu. In order to play a more active role for international peace, Japan enacted the Law Concerning Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) in June Ever since then, the Japanese Government has provided personnel and in-kind support to the Golan Heights (UNDOF), Sudan (UNMIC), and Haiti (MINUSTAH), etc. The dispatching of the Japanese Arms-monitoring team to Nepal as PKO is only one remarkable case since 2007 in Asia. UNMIN highly appreciated the Japanese team for their discipline, diligence and devotion. In Japan, the activities of the International Peace Cooperation Corps have gained strong support from the people. T Japan's Assistance for Three GGP Projects he Government of Japan decided to extend financial assistance under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme totaling US$ 267, 084 (equivalent to approx. NRs. 19, 202,180) to three NGOs to support their respective projects. On February 28, grant contracts were signed and exchanged between Mr. Tadashi Fujiwara, Charge 'd Affaires of Japan and the representatives of the NGOs. Siddhi Memorial Foundation (Amount: US$ 62, 641, equivalent to approx. NRs. 4,552,150) The foundation has been running Siddhi Memorial Hospital in Bhaktapur providing service-orientated medical care free-of-charge or through a post-payment scheme to marginalized women and children since To enhance the number of patients, the organization decided to install medical equipment especially for maternal and child health and also set up an incinerator, amongst others, to upgrade medical services to which the Government of Japan has decided to extend assistance. Five thousand people are expected to benefit under the Project. Spinal Cord Injury Association-Nepal (Amount: US$ 105, 898, equivalent to approx. NRs. 7, 695, 671) The Association has been energetically working on various activities to promote the rights and improve the quality of life for disabled people. Since 2000, the organization has provided vocational training to 463 people at their center in Pokhara. Despite the increasing demand, shortage of space only allows a limited number of people to receive training. Realizing the enthusiasm and dedication of the Association staff, many of whom are disabled themselves, and the need for expansion, the Government of Japan has decided to extend the cooperation. Under the Project a new, six roomed center will be constructed at Bhotepokhari VDC, near Pokhara. It is expected to provide opportunities for skills training such as sawing, candle making and handicrafts and lead to income generation for 60 to 90 disabled people. Shree Janata Higher Secondary School (Amount: US$ 98,545, equivalent to approx. NRs. 6,954,359) The School was established in 1961 in Hadiya VDC, Udayapur District as a primary school and upgraded to plus two level in Constructed by the local community, the buildings are now in a dilapidated condition and suffering from a shortage of classrooms. To serve the community's need and to improve the learning environment the construction of a two-storey school building with eight rooms, suitable for 816 students, will take place. The Project is expected to contribute to reduce the educational gap between urban and rural areas.

3 N High School Students Visit Japan ine Nepali students accompanied by a teacher visited Japan under the Japan- SAARC High School Students Invitation Program from December 7 to 17, A total of 72 students and eight teachers from SAARC countries participated in the program. The main purpose of the program was to provide the participants with an opportunity to learn about Japan's state-of-the-art technologies and efforts in the field of environment, thus enhancing their understanding of Japan. Having participated in the 10-day exchange program, the teacher and the students remarked that the program was indeed very fruitful and enlightening. Their visits to technology sites, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, industries and world heritage sites helped them to understand the history, society and traditional culture of Japan. In addition to this, a home-stay with local families and visits to high schools helped them gain insights into different aspects of Japanese society. According to Nepali participants, politeness, diligence, punctuality and dignity in work are some positive attributes they learned from Japan. They said they would make the best use of the knowledge and experience gained in Japan to bring the people of both countries closer. Participant's comment... ''Visits to Tokyo Rinkai Wind Power Generation Plant and Energy and Earth Exploratorium were amazing. We were impressed to see Japan's endeavor in power development that is to replace nuclear power by solar and wind power, without spoiling the environment.'' Nepali participants with Mr. Kozima, Former Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Participants in a forum T Japan's Assistance for Enhancing the Quality of Prenatal Care he Government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of US$ 938,298, equivalent to approximately NRs. 67,867,094 to AMDA Multisectoral and Integrated Development Services (AMDA-MINDS) under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects Scheme of the Government of Japan in Japan s FY AMDA-MINDS will implement the Project to enhance the quality of prenatal care in Siddhartha Children and Women Hospital in coordination with Butwal Municipality, and Butwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. To this end, Mr. Tadashi Fujiwara, Charge 'd Affaires of Japan to Nepal and Ms. Maiko Kobayashi, Project Manager, in charge of the Nepal office of AMDA - MINDS Japan signed and exchanged a contract on March 4. The Hospital was established with financial contribution from the Japanese people and NGO project subsidies from the Japanese Government in This is the only hospital outside of the Kathmandu Valley providing medical services specifically for women and children and with such high medical techniques and full equipment. According to Nepal Government strategy, which promotes delivery at medical institutions, the number of births in hospitals is increasing nowadays; greatly helping to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rate. However, adequate infrastructure has not yet been established to meet the needs and expectations of both the government and people. The Government of Japan, therefore, has decided to extend this grant. The Grant will be utilized exclusively for the construction of a two-story, 46 rooms - with 36 beds - hospital building, the installment of medical equipment, a workshop for the hospital management committee, the training of medical staff and project operating costs. These will all enhance the quality of prenatal care at Siddhartha Children and Women Hospital at Butwal Municipality in Rupandhehi. The project is expecting to narrow the gap through expanding quality deliver services in the Terai; providing emergency services, and providing highly subsidized rates for treatment and medical services to poor and deprived people. Butwal Municipality and the Butwal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) have made a commitment to contribute five percent of the total amount of the construction cost.

4 O JUAAN Hosts Education Fair n February 6, JUAAN in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan hosted the Japan Education fair at Pulchowk Engineering Campus. This year representatives from JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) also participated in the fair. The purpose behind the fair was to provide Nepalese students and educators with up-to-date information about Japanese higher education and research so as to help the students choose an appropriate school and achieve their academic pursuits, thereby promoting study in Japan. The fair offered information on study in Japan; scholarship programs, and application procedures for scholarships; selection of universities; entrance examination procedures; university ranking; ways to find a research adviser, and Japanese lifestyle. The JASSO and JUAAN booths were crowded with students who eagerly asked many questions including those on the topics of admission criteria, curriculums, and scholarship opportunities. Some 600 university students and educational administrators attended the fair. Scholarship awardees with Cultural Secretary Ms. Hashimoto and JUAAN members Orientation for MEXT Scholarship Awardees O n March11, this year's MEXT Scholarship recipients attended an orientation conducted by JUAAN in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan at the Embassy Hall. This year five research students, namely, Mr. Ritesh Shrestha, Mr. Amit Pariyar, Mr. Arvinda Panthee, Mr. Ramesh Bista, Ms. Neelam Niroula; and Mr. Sirish Dwa, an undergraduate student were awarded the MEXT scholarship. The students eagerly enquired about life in Japan and showed enthusiasm to study there. The JUAAN members shared their experiences of daily life; the way to successfully complete studies, and how to adjust to life in Japan. They also discussed cultural similarities and differences and the social and academic environment. Cultural Secretary Ms. Natsuko Hashimoto urged the students to make the most of the opportunity and to make a contribution to the future of Nepal upon their return.

5 E JUAAN Annual Function very year the Imanishi Memorial Fellowship is awarded for excellent research work on Japan related studies in social science, humanities, Japan-Nepal relations and research on applied science. This year, on March 4, an award presentation ceremony was held with the participation of Ambassador Mr. Mizuno, Mr. Yozo Tanimoto, Founder President of the Imanishi Memorial Fellowship Trust, and JUAAN members at Hotel Malla, Kathmandu. Ms. Shovana Bajracharya and Mr. Arun Shrestha were awarded an Imanishi Fellowship Award; three others received consolation prizes. JUAAN Benkyokai Ambassador Mr. Mizuno, Mr. Tanimoto, Founder President of the Imanishi Memorial Fellowship Trust and Dr. Shrestha, JUAAN President with awardees O Minister Counselor Mr. Fujiwara speaking at Benkyokai n January 14, the Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN) organized a regular Benkyokai (monthly meeting) in which Minister Counselor Mr. Tadashi Fujiwara spoke about Japan-Nepal business relations. The participating members commented that the talk helped them enrich their knowledge and understanding of Japanese views on management and business. Japanese Language Teacher's Training F rom January 16 to March 12, five Japanese language teachers from Kathmandu participated in the Japan Foundation's Training Program for Foreign Teachers of Japanese Language. The training offered them a chance to learn Japanese teaching methodology including how to develop teaching materials as well as language skills. Nepali participants felt that the training has benefited them enormously and helped them to broaden their understanding of the wider world. Japanese Language Teacher's Seminar Seminar at the Embassy hall J apanese Language Teacher's Association, Nepal (JALTAN) in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan conducted a Japanese language teacher's seminar in the Embassy Hall, Kathmandu and Pokhara Japanese Language Cultural Center on 26 and 28, February, respectively. The speaker was Mr. Naoki Sato, Language Advisor of the Japan Foundation Office in New Delhi. The seminar focused mainly on effective ways to teach kanji, usage of particles and passive voice. More than 60 Japanese language teachers from Kathmandu and 20 from Pokhara attended the seminar and learned innovative and easy methods for teaching Japanese. The participating teachers responded that the seminar was very fruitful, demonstrating it was very beneficial for Japanese language teachers in Nepal.

6 On Japan: Hina-matsuri and Children's Day Hina-matsuri March 3 is Hina-matsuri (Dolls Festival) or Momo-no-Sekku (Peach Blossom's Festival), when parents pray for the healthy growth and happiness of young girls. Families with young daughters display doll stands featuring dolls dressed in ancient court costumes, together with peach blossoms. Peach blossoms symbolizing a happy marriage are indispensable decorations for this festival. Special colored rice cakes, rice crackers and soft rice wine are offered and relatives and friends of the daughters are invited to their home to celebrate. Kids celebrating Hina-matsuri The tradition began during the Edo period ( ), as a way of warding off evil spirits, with the dolls acting as a charm. Even today, people in some parts of the country release paper dolls into rivers after the festival, praying that the dolls carry away sickness and bad fortune. Families generally start to display the dolls around mid-february and put them away immediately after the festival. This is because superstition says that leaving the dolls out past March 4 will result in the late marriage of the daughter. Hina dolls Children's Day Koinobori The traditional name for this day is Tango-no-Sekku (a seasonal festival). Koinobori (carp streamers) decorates the landscape of Japan from April through early May in honor of Children's Day, celebrated on 5 May. In olden times on this day people would drive away evil spirits using irises. The carp streamers are flown above the roofs of the houses by sons. The biggest Koinobori is for the father, next biggest for the mother, and so on, ranging down to the smallest for the youngest son. Carps are fish that swim powerfully against strong currents, thus the streamers symbolize the wish that boys will achieve success and become strong and confident. May 5 is a national holiday in Japan. T Announcement of Scholarships for 2012 he Embassy of Japan announces the competition for Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarships for Nepali students for the academic year 2012 in the fields of Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences. Program Qualifications 1. Research Students Must be under 35 years of age (as of April 1, 12) and have completed at least 16 years of education and secured 70% marks for Natural Sciences and 60% for Humanities and Social Sciences in aggregate in all levels of exams. 2. Undergraduate Students and 3. Specialized Training College Students Must have been born between April 2, 1990 & April 1, 1995 and have secured 75% marks for Natural Sciences and 65% for Humanities and Social Sciences in aggregate in SLC and + 2 exams. Written examinations will be held on July 30. The field of study must be the same as the applicants' previous study leading to their final graduation. Applicants need to attach attested copies of certificates and mark-sheets along with the application. Application forms are available at The Embassy will accept completed applications in person at the following times only:- 1. Research Students: May :30-12:30 hrs 2. Undergraduate Students: July :30-12:30 hrs 3. Specialized Training College Students: July :30-16:30 hrs Embassy of Japan (Tel , culjpn@mos.com.np, URL :