High school student Aditi Paudel, 17, becomes Japan's first literacy ambassador

Aditi Paudel, a 17-year-old high school student from Tokyo, has been appointed as Japan's first literacy ambassador by the World Literacy Foundation. Born in Japan and raised in Nepal, Paudel has always had a passion for reading. Her grandfather first introduced her to literature by giving her a newspaper filled with Devanagari script when she was still in preschool. Over the years, her love for reading has only grown stronger.

Paudel was selected for the ambassador role due to her leadership, passion for literacy, and commitment to empowering young people in Japan. The World Literacy Foundation's program aims to connect young people globally and encourage them to promote literacy in their communities. As the CEO and founder of the foundation, Andrew Kay noted that the ambassador's curiosity about English has strengthened the program's global voice and cultural reach.

Paudel plans to work with the Shanti Volunteer Association to collect and donate books to countries with lower literacy rates, including her home country of Nepal. She sees literacy as more than just the ability to read and write; it is "something that helps you open doors for more opportunities." Growing up with private education, Paudel understands the importance of literacy and its impact on unlocking potential.

Despite the benefits of literacy, many young people in Japan are not reading for pleasure as they once did. A recent study found that around half of elementary, junior high, and high school-aged children in Japan do not read books. Kay warns that this trend could have regressive effects, as people become less inclined to engage with books and may rely on artificial intelligence for quick answers, potentially missing out on the benefits of critical thinking and deeper reading.