KATHMANDU: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation was signed on Monday between Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, and the Nepal Tourism Board, marking a fresh effort to strengthen tourism ties between the two sides. 

The agreement was signed by Miyazaki Imuji, Governor of Wakayama Prefecture and Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Japan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Maeda Toru, and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha.

"The MoU is expected to foster further exchange between Japan and Nepal in the tourism sector," the Japan Embassy in Nepal said.

Photo Courtesy: NTB

The delegation including Wakayama Prefecture Governor Imuji, Deputy Speaker Fuminari Akizuki, Mayor Yoshiya Hirano of Koya Town, and several heads of monasteries from Koya Town also visited Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, highlighting the Buddhist heritage that connects the two countries.

The visit also marks the 10th anniversary of the Sister City Agreement signed in 2015 between Lumbini and Koya Town in Wakayama Prefecture. 

This year also commemorates 70 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan, with the MoU and high-level visit underscoring sub-national collaboration, heritage diplomacy, and tourism-led people-to-people engagement.