In a momentous celebration of seven decades of diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Yoshirō Ishiba of Japan warmly welcomed President Thongloun Sisoulith of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Tokyo. The high-level summit, held during President Thongloun’s official visit to Japan, marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Both leaders used the occasion to reaffirm their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation under the recently elevated Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
A Warm Welcome and Symbolic Milestones
During their meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba conveyed his sincere appreciation for President Thongloun’s visit, emphasizing the historical significance of the anniversary. He reiterated Japan’s strong intention to realize the full potential of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership announced earlier this year. President Thongloun, in turn, expressed gratitude for the warm reception by the Japanese government and noted his satisfaction with the evolving bilateral relationship, which now spans diverse areas including governance, infrastructure, legal reform, and environmental sustainability. The visit also featured a notable cultural element: Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his appreciation for Laos’s invitation extended to Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko to visit Laos in commemoration of the diplomatic milestone. President Thongloun stated he would be honored to welcome the Princess, underscoring the deepening cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Deepening Bilateral Cooperation
The two leaders held comprehensive discussions on ways to advance bilateral relations under their newly strengthened partnership. Prime Minister Ishiba reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for Laos’s pursuit of economic stability and sustainable development. He underscored Japan’s commitment to assisting Laos in enhancing economic resilience, stabilizing public finances, and promoting high-quality growth.
Both leaders agreed to prioritize the early conclusion of a bilateral tax convention to encourage greater investment and economic exchange. They also reaffirmed their joint efforts to improve legal and administrative governance in Laos. Japan’s historical support for Laos’s civil code reform and legal institution-building was acknowledged as a foundation for continued collaboration. In a symbolic gesture of this partnership, a joint research publication, reflecting years of cooperative effort in the legal domain, was also unveiled. Security cooperation featured prominently in their dialogue, with both countries pledging to expand collaboration in this area. Further, the two leaders committed to advancing joint efforts in clean energy and decarbonization initiatives, aligning with the goals of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework, which saw a major summit convened in Laos last year.
President Thongloun also announced an important new development for bilateral exchanges: the extension of the visa exemption period for general Japanese travelers visiting Laos from 15 to 30 days starting June 1. Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his gratitude for the move, which is expected to enhance tourism and deepen interpersonal connections.
Regional and Global Alignment
The Japan-Laos summit also addressed pressing regional and international issues. Both leaders agreed to strengthen their collaboration on matters of shared concern, including tensions in the East and South China Seas, North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, and the longstanding issue of abducted Japanese citizens. They also discussed the evolving situation in Myanmar and the Middle East, reaffirming their shared vision of peace, rule of law, and multilateral cooperation.
Looking Ahead
This summit has laid a strong foundation for the future of Japan-Laos relations. As both countries look to navigate the complexities of regional dynamics and global challenges, the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signifies a mutual commitment to deep, long-term collaboration across political, economic, environmental, and cultural domains. The 70th anniversary of Japan-Laos diplomatic relations is not just a celebration of the past but a bold statement of intent for the future—anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a forward-looking agenda.
