Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (left) and his Japanese counterpart Ishiba Shigeru congratulate each other after signing a joint statement to elevate Laos-Japan ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Laos, Japan elevate ties to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’

Laos and Japan have opened a new chapter in their bilateral ties by elevating their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Meeting in Tokyo, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his Japanese counterpart Ishiba Shigeru on Tuesday signed a joint statement raising the two countries’ ties to a new level.
The Lao leader is on an official working visit to Japan from January 20 to 23 to enhance relations and mark the 70th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of Japan providing volunteer workers to Laos. The two countries have also designated 2025 as the Year of Friendship, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

During their talks, the two prime ministers exchanged views on ways to bolster cooperation between their two countries. They agreed to encourage their business sectors to work towards setting up direct flights between Laos and Japan in the near future to facilitate people-to-people contacts. Laos also plans to extend the visa waiver for ordinary Japanese citizens from 15 to 30 days.  
“The Lao and Japanese prime ministers are pleased to continue working together to push cooperation in economic affairs,” the Lao ministry said, adding that this aims to increase trade and investment.
The two heads of government said they highly valued the growing bilateral ties and cooperation between their countries’ political parties, states, parliaments and peoples over the past seven decades. 
This is reflected by the regular mutual visits undertaken by leaders from the two countries, while cooperation and Japan-aided projects have seen significant progress.     

The two premiers also shared views on regional and international issues of common interest. They agreed to offer reciprocal support on the regional and international stages, particularly through the ASEAN-Japan and Mekong-Japan frameworks, as well as through the United Nations.  
PM Sonexay expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation and expressed his pleasure at meeting PM Shigeru again after their earlier meeting in Vientiane during the ASEAN Summit and related meetings in October 2024. 
The Lao PM also expressed gratitude for the invaluable assistance provided by the government and people of Japan, a key provider of Official Development Assistance, which has contributed significantly to Laos’ socio-economic development. 
The Lao side highlighted key areas of Japan’s assistance, in particular for human resource development, health, agriculture and forestry, infrastructure development and unexploded ordnance clearance. Japan was also a key supporter of Laos’ 2024 ASEAN chairmanship.
Prime Minister Sonexay congratulated Japan on its hosting of the upcoming World Expo 2025, also known as Expo Osaka 2025, and said Laos was actively preparing to participate in the exposition.
PM Shigeru offered a warm welcome and thanked his Lao guest for accepting his invitation and visiting Japan. 
He reaffirmed his commitment to continuing to provide support and assistance to the Lao government and people, through both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
After their talks, the two leaders witnessed an exchange of notes on grant aid from the Japanese government for the improvement of provincial teacher development centres.
The Laos-Japan business forum and a celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties will also be organised as part of PM Sonexay’s visit. 

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 22, 2025)