Ms Darany Phommavongsa and Mr Koizumi Tsutomu alongside Japanese and Lao officials attend the opening ceremony of the Japan Festival in Vientiane on February 14.–Photo Pasaxon newspaper

Japan Festival 2025 marks 70 years of Laos-Japan ties

The Japan Festival 2025 took place on February 14-15 in Vientiane to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Japan.
The festival opened at the Sangsan Shopping Centre with performances and cultural activities, including traditional and modern Japanese arts. Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Koizumi Tsutomu, and Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Ms Darany Phommavongsa, attended the event.
Since 2011, the Japan Festival has been held every two or three years and is the largest Japanese cultural event in Laos.
This year’s programme featured a performance by Ukon Takafuji, a world-renowned Japanese traditional dancer, showcasing the Shishimai (lion dance). The Lao Dance Company, founded by Lao B-boy dancer C-LII and Japanese dancer Asako, also took to the stage.
Japanese pop singer krage made her debut in Laos, performing her original songs. Calligraphy artist Mohri Suzuki also appeared for the first time, presenting a live demonstration inspired by the philosophy, “If the mind is right, the body will be right.”
On the second day, the festival continued with a performance team of elementary and middle school students who showcased their skills in music, dance and martial arts. Visitors also enjoyed Japanese food, cultural exhibitions and various interactive activities.
Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Koizumi Tsutomu, said Laos and Japan established diplomatic relations on March 5, 1955, and their partnership has strengthened across various sectors, including trade, investment and cultural exchanges.
In January, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shinzō agreed to elevate relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to deepen long-term cooperation.
The two prime ministers agreed to encourage their business sectors to work towards establishing direct flights between Laos and Japan to boost trade, investment and people-to-people links. Laos also plans to extend the visit visa waiver for ordinary Japanese citizens from 15 to 30 days.
At the high-level roundtable discussion with Japanese business leaders in Tokyo last month, Laos’ Minister of Planning and Investment provided insights into the country’s investment climate, noting that Japan has undertaken 93 projects with investments exceeding US$157 million since 1989. Japan currently ranks 14th out of 53 foreign investors in Laos.
The number of newly registered Japanese-invested companies is also rising, with 69 firms established between 2023 and 2024, contributing US$138 million to sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, finance, wholesale and retail.
Trade between Laos and Japan has exceeded US$1 billion since 2018. In 2024 alone, bilateral trade was valued at more than US$255 million, a 10.4 percent increase compared to 2023, according to the Laos investment promotion department website.
Key exports from Laos to Japan include clothing, electrical appliances, vehicles, machinery and synthetic fibres. 
To mark these milestones, the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence in Vientiane hosted a reception to celebrate the 65th birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito, with Minister of Education and Sports and President of the Laos-Japan Friendship Association, Dr Phout Simmalavong, among the invited guests.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 19, 2025)