Tokyo, Japan 10 August .

A delegation of Nepali journalists, including representatives of the National Federation for Right to Information (RTIF), held a meeting with senior officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at JICA Headquarters in Tokyo on September 29, 2026. The delegation met Mr. Murakawa Daishiro, Senior Deputy Director of South Asia Division II, and Ms. Aoi Koguchi, Country Officer responsible for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nepal under JICA’s South Asia Department.

The delegation from Nepali side Umid Bagchand, National President of the National Federation for Right to Information and Vice President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ); Nagendra Upadhyay, Central Member of FNJ; Mukunda Bhandari, Central Member of FNJ and journalist with Radio Nepal; Lalita Sah, Central Member of FNJ; and journalist Rajendra Upadhyay participated the meeting.

The meeting was Followed an introductory session and Mr. Murakawa Daishiro delivered a presentation outlining JICA’s development cooperation in Nepal. He highlighted JICA’s support under its Priority Areas (Medium Targets) Assistance Program, focusing on transport infrastructure and connectivity, power and energy, agriculture and rural development, education and health sector enhancement, private sector development, and human resource development for industrial revitalization. The presentation also emphasized Japan’s continued assistance in income generation, poverty reduction, disaster risk reduction, climate change measures, governance enhancement, and democratization.

Participants engaged in discussions on the scope and impact of these development initiatives in Nepal. During the interaction, Umid Bagchand stressed that Nepali journalists are currently facing significant challenges in safeguarding press freedom and freedom of expression. He thanks for the supports to Nepal and highlighted JICA to consider extending support for strengthening media development, ensuring journalists’ safety, and promoting an enabling environment for independent journalism in Nepal. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their commitment to continued dialogues and cooperation on issues related to Nepal’s development and the role of a free and independent media in strengthening democratic governance.

The Nepali delegates also participated the Global Media Conference Tokyo too.