KATHMANDU: Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Masashi Ogawa hosted a reception in the capital on Friday on the occasion of the 84th birth anniversary of Japanese monarch Akihito.

Nepal and Japan had established their diplomatic relation in 1956.

Welcoming to the guests present on the occasion, Japanese envoy Ogawa said, "Japan is a good friend of Nepal and it has been providing support to Nepal's efforts for economic, social, cultural and educational development".

He also pledged to continue with the support for the development of Nepal in future.

Present in the reception were Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, ministers, former Prime Ministers, former ministers, government high-ranking officials, distinguished personalities and Japanese nationals.