VIENTIANE: People-to-people links between Laos and Japan have continued to grow steadily, including through regular high-level government visits and official exchanges between leaders and government officials of the two countries.
As part of these close ties, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, and his wife paid a courtesy visit to Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Thursday (May 21) during their official visit to Japan to attend the opening ceremony of the Lao Festival 2026.
Thongsavanh conveyed warm greetings from President Thongloun Sisoulith and his wife to Emperor Naruhito and the Empress of Japan.
He also expressed appreciation, on behalf of the Lao government and people, for Japan’s longstanding support for Laos’ socio-economic development, particularly in the areas of human resource development, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and forestry.
Thongsavanh highlighted Japan’s continued assistance through the dispatch of experts and volunteers to Laos, as well as humanitarian support for the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) remaining from past conflicts.
Crown Prince Akishino welcomed the Lao delegation and expressed hope that the visit and participation in the Lao Festival in Japan would be a success. He also reaffirmed his wish for the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Japan and Laos to continue deepening in the years ahead.
Laos and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1955, and ties between the two countries have steadily expanded over the past seven decades.
In 2025, the two countries jointly marked the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and agreed to elevate their ties from a Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in what both sides described as a significant milestone in relations.
The two countries also celebrated the 60th anniversary of Japan’s volunteer programme in Laos. Since the programme began, more than 1,100 Japanese volunteers have served in Laos, contributing to educational, social and community development initiatives across the country.
More than 50 Japanese volunteers are currently serving in Laos, reflecting the continuing people-to-people links and close friendship between the two nations. - Vientiane Times/ANN
