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Princess Aiko Meets Lao President as First Overseas Visit Begins in Vientiane

The six-day trip marks 70 years of JapanLaos ties to showcase Tokyo’s soft-power outreach to a key aid partner.

Overview

  • Princess Aiko paid a courtesy call on President Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane on Tuesday as part of anniversary events.
  • She also met Vice President Pany Yathotou and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, delivering a message from Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
  • The princess attended a banquet hosted by the vice president after visiting the Pha That Luang stupa earlier in the day.
  • Her program includes stops at a UXO awareness facility, a Japanese-aid children’s hospital, cultural sites in Luang Prabang, and a Japanese-language school.
  • Laos extended hospitality typically reserved for heads of state as Aiko began her first official overseas tour after arriving via Thailand on a commercial flight.