Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Tokyo Student Aditi Paudel Named Japan’s First Literacy Ambassador
Aditi Paudel is a 17-year-old student who lives in Tokyo.
She was chosen as Japan’s first literacy ambassador.
Literacy means being able to read and write, but Aditi believes it also helps people find more opportunities.
She was born in Japan and spent part of her childhood in Nepal.
When she returned to Japan, she had to learn Japanese again.
Her father encouraged her to read books, and fantasy stories helped her love reading.
Reading Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography inspired her interest in education and women’s empowerment.
As an ambassador, she plans to help collect books for places where fewer people can read.
Aditi Paudel, a 17-year-old high school senior in Tokyo, became Japan’s first literacy ambassador.
She is among about 900 young people aged 16 to 25 from 101 countries in the World Literacy Foundation’s program.
Born in Japan, Paudel spent the first half of her childhood in Nepal before returning to Japan in third grade.
She views literacy as more than reading and writing, describing it as a way to open doors to opportunities.
Paudel plans to work with the Shanti Volunteer Association to collect and donate books to Asian countries, including Nepal.
- Who
- Aditi Paudel, a 17-year-old high school senior in Tokyo, was appointed Japan’s first literacy ambassador.
- What
- She joined the World Literacy Foundation’s youth ambassador program and will advocate for literacy and educational opportunity.
- When
- She was recently appointed; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Where
- The appointment concerns Japan, and Paudel is a high school student in Tokyo.
- Why
- The World Literacy Foundation cited her leadership, passion for literacy, commitment to empowering young people in Japan, and curiosity about English.
- Age
- 17
- Location
- Tokyo, Japan
- Role
- Japan’s first literacy ambassador
- Program
- World Literacy Foundation youth ambassador program
- Program participation
- About 900 young people aged 16 to 25 from 101 countries
- Planned work
- Collecting and donating books to Asian countries with lower literacy rates, including Nepal
- Literacy view
- Paudel sees literacy as something that opens doors to more opportunities