Japanese equipment to help Laos cope with natural disasters

The Japanese government has agreed to offer equipment to Laos to help strengthen the country’s capacity to prepare, handle and respond to natural disasters, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry’s Press Department announced yesterday that the Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Kenji Wakamiya, confirmed the Japanese government’s non-project aid for Laos while holding a bilateral meeting with his Lao counterpart, Mr Thongphane Savanphet.

The Japanese government has learnt that many provinces in Laos have experienced devastating floods. Therefore, it wanted to provide Laos with the tools, valued at 1,000 million yen (82.5 billion kip), to cope with disasters of this nature.
In addition the Japanese government has agreed to provide Laos with a grant of 1,922 million yen (about 158.5 billion kip) to finance the water supply expansion project in Luang Prabang, the Press Department release said. According to the media release, Mr Wakamiya was visiting Laos from October 4 to 6 to introduce himself to his Lao counterpart after assuming the position of Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs in early September.
He also represented the 25th Japanese government at the Asean Council of Japan Alumni event which was held in Vientiane from October 4 to 6 and hosted by Japan Alumni of Laos.
While holding talks with his Lao counterpart, the visiting Japanese diplomat agreed that Japan would continue to strengthen the excellent relationship with Laos as well as enhance the strategic partnership which the two nations established in 2015.
During the meeting, Lao and Japanese officials agreed that the two nations should put into practice the agreements which their leaders had already endorsed.
The two sides also agreed to prepare celebrations for the 65th anniversary of Lao-Japanese diplomatic relations in 2020.
Lao officials thanked the Japanese government for its assistance to Laos over past years, in particular in the areas of  infrastructure construction, human resource development, health and agriculture.
They also expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for sending experts and volunteers to help Laos cope in the wake of the flood in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province, last year.

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
(Latest Update October 8, 2019)