Japan-Laos Relations (Basic Data)

March 2012

Basic Data

Diplomatic Relations:: Established in March 1955
Number of Residents:: Number of Japanese residing in Laos: 295 (March1999); Number of Laos residing in Japan: 1,352 (March1999)
Trade with Japan (1999):: Exports: 1,548 million yen (timber); Imports: 2,576 million yen (machinery, autos, steel manufacture)
Direct Investment from Japan:: At the end of 1997, there were 22 direct investments in Laos totaling about 14 million dollar. Thirty-eight Japanese companies have set up operations in Laos.
Japan's Economic Cooperation:: List of Exchange of Notes; Loans: 9.1 billion yen (Cumulative Toal FY1996-FY1999); Grants: 74.3 billion yen (Cumulative Toal FY1996-FY1999); Technical Cooperation: 21.2 billion yen (Cumulative Toal FY1996-FY1999)

VIP Visits

From Japan to Laos

Year	Name
1993	State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Koji Kakizawa
1995	Japan-Laos Parliamentary Friendship League
1997	State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura
1998	State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura
1999	Their Imperial Highness Prince and Princess Akishino
2000	Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi
2004	Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
2004	Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura

From Laos to Japan

Year	Name
1993	Minister of Foreign Affairs Somsavat Lengsavad
1995	Prime Minister Khamtay Siphandone
1995	Minister of Industry and Handicraft Soulivong Daravong
1996	Minister of Foreign Affairs Somsavat Lengsavad
2011	Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith

Cultural Grant (cumulative total fiscal 1975-2004)

479.1 million yen (Cultural Grant Aid)
244.6 million yen (Grant Aid for Cultural Heritage)
7.3 million yen (Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects)

Recent Trends

The visit of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino: T.I.H. Prince and Princess Akishino paid an official visit to Laos from 1 to 4 July 1999. It was the first visit to Laos by Japanese Imperial family members, and it is expected to further strengthen the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.
Economic Cooperation: Since 1991, Japan has been the top-ranking donor in Laos and cooperationg mainly in the area of human resources development, basic human needs, agriculture and forestry and industrial infrastructure.
Today, under the influence of Asian financial crisis, the Government of Laos has a lot of difficulties in the macroeconomic management. In this context, Laos and Japan have started the preparation of macroeconomic policy planning cooperation in August 1999.

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