KATHMANDU:  Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has left for Japan via Thailand.

According to her secretariat, she left late last night to participate in an international conference on social isolation among senior citizens, scheduled to begin Wednesday in Tokyo.

The event is being organized by the Foundation for the Welfare and Education of the Asian People and will bring together ministers, senior government officials, and veteran social activists from more than a dozen countries.

Although her secretariat has cited medical treatment as the primary reason for the visit, sources indicate that Minister Rana is also expected to hold some bilateral meetings while in Japan.

Her secretariat has informed that she is expected to return to Nepal this coming Saturday.