17-year-old Aditi Paudel becomes Japan’s first literacy ambassador among 900 people from 101 countries; reveals how a childhood memory with her grandfather sparked her love of reading

Literacy ambassador Aditi Paudel: A 17-year-old high school student in Tokyo has been named Japan’s first literacy ambassador, bringing a personal love of books and a strong belief in education to a global campaign promoting reading among young people. Aditi Paudel, who was born in Japan and spent part of her early childhood in Nepal, has been appointed as an ambassador by the World Literacy Foundation, according to The Japan Times.

Her connection with reading began remarkably early. One of her earliest memories is of her grandfather giving her a newspaper written in intricate Devanagari script when she was still in preschool. Despite her young age, Paudel could make sense of what she was reading.

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Aditi Paudel’s journey from Nepal to Japan

Paudel returned to Japan when she was in third grade. Alongside adjusting to life in a new country, she had to learn Japanese again, with books becoming an important part of that journey.

Her interest in reading had already been encouraged by her father, who regularly bought her books. She soon developed a particular fondness for fantasy literature and remembers falling in love with Enid Blyton’s The Wishing-Chair.

Reading eventually became more than a hobby. It helped shape her views on education, equality and the opportunities that literacy can create.

Why Paudel became Japan’s first literacy ambassador

The World Literacy Foundation’s ambassador programme brings together about 900 young people aged 16 to 25 from 101 countries. Although the programme has been running for 12 years, Paudel is the first person from Japan to take on the ambassador role.

Andrew Kay, CEO and founder of the World Literacy Foundation, said Paudel was selected because of her “leadership, passion for literacy, and commitment to empowering young people in Japan”.

He also highlighted her interest in English and said her curiosity had helped strengthen the programme’s global voice and cultural reach.

The programme aims to encourage young people to promote literacy within their own communities and connect with others around the world.

Reading I Am Malala changed her perspective

One book that had a particularly strong influence on Paudel was Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography, I Am Malala. The book deepened her interest in female empowerment and the importance of ensuring that women and girls around the world have access to education and literacy.

Paudel also wants to work with children with disabilities. Through the Shanti Volunteer Association, she plans to help collect and donate books to Asian countries where literacy rates remain lower, including Nepal.

What does literacy really mean?

For Paudel, literacy goes far beyond simply knowing how to read and write. She describes it as “something that helps you open doors for more opportunities”. Her own experiences have shaped that belief. Having had access to private education, Paudel says she has seen first-hand how education can influence the direction of a person’s life.

“My parents grew up in a completely opposite environment. They did not have a childhood like this,” she said.

“Being literate is so important because even though you have the potential, you can never unlock it if you do not have literacy.”

Why fewer children in Japan are reading books

Paudel’s appointment comes at a time when reading habits among Japanese children are changing. Around half of elementary, junior high and high school-age children in Japan do not read books, according to a study by the Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute and the University of Tokyo.

Kay warned that fewer young people are choosing to read for pleasure, particularly when it comes to books that require sustained attention.

“As far as embedding themselves in a novel or reading something that really takes a little bit more effort, that is becoming a rarer thing,” he said.

How AI could change the way young people read

The rise of artificial intelligence is another concern for literacy advocates. Kay said AI tools can provide instant answers, potentially allowing people to bypass the process of researching information, reading different perspectives and working through ideas themselves.

He warned that moving away from books as a mainstream activity could have a “regressive effect”, arguing that reading remains important for developing deeper thinking and understanding.

Paudel’s advice to teenagers who do not like reading

As a teenager herself, Paudel understands the competition books face from smartphones and social media. “You will always be more inclined to go for your phone rather than a book,” she said.

Her solution is simple: make reading a habit, but do not force yourself to start with a list of celebrated classics.

Instead, she believes young people should find books that genuinely interest them, ideally books that also challenge them to see the world from a different perspective.

For Paudel, that is the real power of literacy: not simply being able to read words on a page, but gaining the ability to discover new ideas, understand different experiences and unlock opportunities.


Inputs from agencies