Shoichiro Toyoda, a confirmed Nepalophile and the honorary chairman of Japan's Toyota Motor Corporation, arrived in Kathmandu Wednesday for a three-day visit during which he is expected to visit some of Nepal's best-known tourism destinations.

Toyoda, who flew into Kathmandu in a private jet, will be visiting Pokhara and Lumbini in addition to stops at Tukuche and Ghandruk on the Annapurna circuit, and a brief stop at Langtang. Toyoda is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. Toyoda, who had joined the Toyota Motor Company in 1952, became its chairman in 1992. He has been the company's honorary chairman since June 1999. He is also president of the Vehicle Road and Traffic Intelligence Society, Chairman of the Fiscal System Council (of the Finance Ministry) and Chairman of Japan's Economic Council the Economic Planning Agency, among others. Toyoda flew in from Hamburg in his private jet and is flying back to Italy, spending an estimated Rs 8 million during his stopover in Nepal. Toyota\'s net worth is $ 45 billion and its research and development budget alone is equivalent to 60 years of Nepal\'s budget. There are said to be 60 Japanese and Asian business leaders in Kathmandu this week to meet Toyoda while he is here.