Banking News – Jijnan Kumar Thapa, proposed as Nepal’s Ambassador to Japan, has withdrawn his name. Thapa made the decision to step away from the ambassador appointment process after questions were raised regarding Japan’s Permanent Resident (PR) status, his family’s residence, and conflict of interest.

At the meeting of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee held on Monday, Chairman Bodhanarayan Shrestha informed that Thapa had withdrawn his name. Thapa, writing to the committee, stated that he wishes to step away from the process of becoming ambassador.

Thapa informed that although there was no legal obstacle to him becoming ambassador, he decided to withdraw his name after personal matters were attached. Noting that no position is the ultimate means of serving the country and people, he stated that he is ready to faithfully fulfill any responsibility given by the government for national interest, development, and prosperity.

His parliamentary hearing process had been halted on Ashoj 28, 2083, after questions were raised about him obtaining Japan’s Permanent Resident (PR) status. During the hearing, Thapa had clarified that he had already renounced Japan’s PR. However, lawmakers had raised further questions regarding the period of renunciation of foreign permanent residency and related legal provisions under Article 291 of the Constitution.

Committee members had also expressed concern over the matter of Thapa’s family currently residing in Japan as permanent residents, and his financial transactions including movable and immovable property and loans there. Similarly, questions had been raised that his work in various agencies of the Japanese government and receipt of services and facilities from there could create a conflict of interest.

On this matter, the Parliamentary Hearing Committee had also sought information from the Japanese government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The committee had also written a second time regarding the matter of Thapa having worked in Japan’s local government.

The government had recommended 13 individuals, including Thapa, as ambassadors to various countries on Ashoj 2, 2083. Of them, the names of 10 have been approved by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, while the names of two have been rejected.

There is a constitutional provision requiring the Parliamentary Hearing Committee to decide on the name of a person proposed for ambassador appointment within 45 days. If the committee cannot decide within that period, the proposed name is deemed automatically approved. With Thapa’s name withdrawal, the process of appointing an ambassador to Japan has reached a new turn.