KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 4 President Ramchandra Paudel returned home today after completing his official visit to Japan. Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, ministers, and the chiefs of the security agencies welcomed President Paudel at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport. A contingent of the Nepali Army accorded a guard of honour to the Head of State. At the invitation of the Japanese government, President Paudel had departed earlier, leading a Nepali delegation to attend a special ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan on February 1. He addressed the ceremony held in Tokyo. He was accompanied by his spouse, Sabita Paudel. During his stay, President Paudel paid a courtesy call on Japanese Emperor Naruhito. The Japanese Prime Minister and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also paid separate courtesy calls on the President. Similarly, Paudel addressed a programme attended by Japanese businesspersons and members of the Nepali diaspora in Tokyo. He also inspected the Nepali Embassy in Japan. Nepal and Japan established diplomatic ties on September 1, 1956. Following the establishment of relations, Nepal set up its embassy in Tokyo in 1965, while Japan established its embassy in Kathmandu in 1967.