Bhutan Turns To Japan For Cooperation In Development.

Thimphu; March 2026: Bhutan’s foreign minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel has called for Japan’s support in achieving the Himalayan nation’s initiative of establishing an autonomous region balancing urban development with nature and well-being. The Foreign Minister has reiterated that an “important area where Bhutan would welcome strengthened cooperation with Japan is the Gelephu Mindfulness City”, which is envisioned as a “global hub for mindful, sustainable and future-oriented development”.

Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel has further asserted that Bhutan hopes to delve into Japan’s expertise in high-quality urban development, disaster resilience, advanced technology and sustainable financing. With the two countries marking 40 years of diplomatic ties, Dhungyel said Bhutan hopes to deepen cooperation with Japan across a range of areas from technology and innovation to quality infrastructure and green growth.

At the heart of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a vision proposed by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in 2023, is Gross National Happiness, a development index introduced by Bhutan that considers citizens’ well-being alongside prosperity. It has shaped the development policy of the landlocked country in South Asia.

With Bhutan aiming to become a “high-income Gross National Happiness economy by 2034”, the minister said Japan is vital in advancing the goal of improving the lives of Bhutanese.

The proposed city would be a “special administrative region” in southern Bhutan under a governance model with legislative, executive and judicial autonomy. The city would encourage young people to seek economic opportunities there instead of going abroad.

Bhutan’s relationship with Japan began in 1964 with the arrival of Keiji Nishioka, a Japanese botanist who helped modernize the country’s farming practices. The two countries established diplomatic relations in March 1986.

Last month, an agreement was signed for Japan to provide 280 million yen ($1.8 million) in grant aid for geotechnical laboratory equipment, as well as technical training on the use, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment, to bolster Bhutan’s capacity for countering landslide disasters.

Bhutan’s prime minister, Tshering Tobgay, will visit Japan next week for talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to further deepen friendly and cooperative bilateral ties.

Team Maverick.