Japan Envoy Nominee Jigyan Kumar Thapa Admits Permanent Residency in Japan
Summary
Japan-bound ambassador-designate Jigyan Kumar Thapa has admitted that he is a permanent resident of Japan and owns a house there, raising questions over the eligibility criteria for ambassadors. Thapa says he settled in Japan to provide stability for his children, while the Foreign Ministry’s rules state that envoy candidates must not hold foreign permanent or temporary residency.
Key Points
- Jigyan Kumar Thapa, nominated as Nepal’s ambassador to Japan, said he has permanent residency in Japan and owns a house there.
- The Foreign Ministry’s ambassador eligibility criteria state that candidates must not hold foreign permanent or temporary residency.
- Thapa said he has lived in Japan since 2000, worked on Nepal-Japan relations for more than two decades, and continues to serve as an interpreter and academic.
- He has held roles with JICA, UNICEF, the Kanagawa International Foundation, and several Japanese and Nepali organizations.
