On February 3, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met with Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel and his wife at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

The Nepalese leader and first lady are visiting Japan to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Officials said that during the meeting which lasted about 25 minutes, the president thanked Japan for its longstanding support to Nepal.

The emperor reflected on his visit to Nepal in 1987, saying he was deeply impressed by the country’s natural beauty.

He showed the guests some photographs he took at the time, including mountain landscapes.

Naruhito noted in particular a photo showing women struggling to draw water at a collection point on Sarangkot hill, where he was trekking.

He said the experience sparked his personal commitment to global water issues.

Officials said the emperor presented copies of the photos he took to the visiting couple as a gift.