Lao Foreign Minister’s Tokyo visit highlights bilateral development

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meets Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith at the Prime Minister’s Office, May 25, 2023. (Prime Minister’s Office Japan)

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane conducted an official visit to Japan on May 21, meeting Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara and Crown Prince Akishino.

Discussions covered supply chain resilience, critical minerals and energy security, alongside regional challenges. Both countries discussed strengthening cooperation under their Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership (CSP) and aligning it with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. Laos also expressed support for Japan’s Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR Asia) initiative to foster growth domestically.

Both governments valued the 70^th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, which was marked by high‑level exchanges and Princess Aiko’s visit to Laos. Looking ahead, Laos invited Japan to participate in the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in September 2026. Laos also highlighted its upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and requested Japan’s continued support for its Smooth Transition Strategy, a policy framework designed to monitor and manage the country’s economic transition post-graduation until 2029.

During the talks, Foreign Minister Thongsavanh discussed key sectors including energy and supply chains, economic development, people-to-people ties and security. Cooperation on critical minerals and energy resilience aligns with Japan’s regional strategy, especially the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Summit.

Foreign Minister Thongsavanh also expressed gratitude to Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) programmes, which remain vital for Laos’ human resource development, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, forestry and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance. The talk also discussed volunteer programmes, cultural exchanges and the Lao Festival in Tokyo, which strengthen grassroots connections.

In security matters, both nations discussed the region’s volatility in the South and East China Sea, Myanmar and nuclear deterrence in North Korea.

Previously, during the courtesy call with Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko on May 21, Foreign Minister Thongsavanh conveyed greetings from Lao leaders and expressed gratitude for Japan’s long‑standing support. In response, Japan’s royal family reaffirmed their commitment to deepen ties.

Laos’ visit to Japan signals the transition from LDC status toward becoming a more active player in the wider Indo-Pacific region through its Smooth Transition Strategy. The partnership is expected to deepen across key sectors, including energy security, defence cooperation and economic development, anchoring both nations’ commitments for stability and resilience.