KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 12

The Government of Japan has welcomed the appointment of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as Nepal's interim prime minister, expressing hope for a swift and peaceful democratic transition.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Friday, the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu said, 'We welcome the appointment of Right Honourable Mrs. Sushila Karki as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal by Right Honourable President Mr. Ram Chandra Paudel today, as an important step in such transition.'

The embassy further noted that Japan 'strongly hopes that Nepal will make a peaceful and democratic transition as early as possible' and reaffirmed its commitment to support Nepal's development and prosperity to strengthen the 'longstanding cordial relations' between the two nations.

Karki was sworn in as Nepal's first woman prime minister on Friday night by the President Paudel. Her interim government is mandated to hold new parliamentary elections within six months, following weeks of Gen-Z–led protests demanding political reform and a non-partisan administration.