Jigyan Kumar Thapa, who had been nominated as Nepal’s ambassador to Japan, has informed the Parliamentary Hearing Committee that he has withdrawn his nomination.
Thapa informed the committee of his decision verbally on Monday.
A complaint had been filed against the ambassadorial nominee, alleging that he held permanent residency status in Japan. The complainant cited a provision in the eligibility notice for ambassadorial appointments stating that anyone holding permanent or temporary residency status in a foreign country is ineligible for the position.
In a 2018 interview with a Japanese magazine, Thapa had reportedly said that he held permanent residency (PR) in Japan and had been living there. The complaint also stated that he owned a house in Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture.
Thapa had also submitted evidence to the Parliamentary Hearing Committee that he had renounced his Japanese permanent residency. He presented documentation showing that he had given up his PR status on March 25, 2026.
Responding to questions from lawmakers, Thapa said:
“I have renounced my PR status. I have heard that written information was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by visiting the embassy in Tokyo. This entire issue arose because I was said to hold PR. I have already renounced it. I went to Japan in 2000. Before going to Japan, I worked as a translator on people-to-people relations during the centenary year. I studied international law specifically to become a diplomat.”
The Parliamentary Hearing Committee had put the recommendation for Thapa’s appointment on hold.
