VIENTIANE: Princess Aiko of Japan met students and visited development projects in Vientiane on Nov 19 as part of her official visit to Laos from Nov 17-21 to mark 70 years of Laos-Japan diplomatic ties.
At Vientiane Secondary School, she was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Dalavone Kittiphan, who joined teachers and students in greeting the Princess.
The school’s Deputy Director, Soukhanda Salinthavong, thanked the Japanese government, the Japanese Embassy and the Japan Foundation for supporting Japanese language classes, which began in 2015.
She said nine teaching assistants, known as Nihongo Partners, had worked at the school since 2016. Their presence made lessons more lively and helped the school provide more classes so students could learn with native speakers.
About 24 per cent of the school’s students now study Japanese.
Students have also gained a deeper understanding of the Japanese way of life, including food, music, traditional dress and activities held during the school’s annual Language Week.
Soukhanda said students take part in Japanese Speech Contests organised by the Embassy of Japan. Two or three students win scholarships to study in Japan each year, while about 10 students take part in study tours. Knowledge of Japanese is important for students seeking jobs or higher studies in Japan, she added.
Later in the day, Princess Aiko visited the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) at the Centre for Medical Rehabilitation.
The organisation supports the Centre by producing prosthetics, orthotics and special wheelchairs for children with disabilities. It also funds mobile clinics that bring services to people with disabilities in remote areas.
The Princess then visited the Budo Centre in Vientiane, where she observed activities related to Japanese martial arts and cultural training.
On Thursday, Princess Aiko travelled to Luang Prabang where she toured Vat Xiengthong, Kuang Si waterfall, Luang Prabang National Museum, and met provincial leaders in the Unesco World Heritage-listed city.
Luang Prabang, recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site, is known for its well-preserved temples, traditional architecture and rich cultural heritage, offering the Princess a broader view of Lao history and culture.
Before returning to Japan on Nov 21, she will visit the Traditional Lao Silk Residence to admire Lao textiles and meet Japanese nationals in Laos, as well as Lao people who have close ties with Japan.
This is the fifth visit to Laos by a member of the Japanese Imperial Family, continuing a long tradition of warm friendship and respect between the two nations. - Vientiane Times/ANN
