Acting Envoy: State and Journalism are Complementary

Japan. Nepali Acting Envoy to Japan Harihar Kant Poudel has said that the state and journalism are not rivals but complementary to each other. Speaking at the 'FNJ Global Media Conference Japan 2026' organized by the Nepal Journalists' Federation Japan Branch in Tokyo on Saturday, Poudel emphasized that the government and the media world should move forward together like flesh and nails.

During his address, Acting Envoy Poudel discussed how journalism is facing new opportunities as well as serious challenges in the digital age. Expressing concern particularly about 'misinformation' and fake news spreading through social media, he urged for caution in professional journalism and factual information dissemination. He said, 'The perspective with which foreigners view us is determined by the message we are conveying about Nepal and state bodies while living abroad, therefore responsible journalism is the need of the hour.'

Poudel also shared the reality that although the number of Nepalis in Japan is increasing rapidly, there is pressure on service delivery due to a lack of staff and resources at the embassy. Stating that the limited staff at the time of the embassy's establishment in 1965 are now having to manage over 160,000 Nepalis, he said that the media should draw the attention of the state to solve such problems. 'We need the cooperation of journalists in the matter of increasing manpower here,' he said.

He mentioned that it is a matter of pride to organize such a historic conference on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan, and stated that diaspora journalists should act as a bridge to bring Japan's high technology, investment, and tourism to Nepal.

Expressing confidence that the 'Tokyo Declaration' to be decided by the conference will pave a new way for professional journalism and coordination with the state, he wished the conference complete success.