Japan-Laos Relations
Japan-Laos Relations (Basic Data)
June 16, 2025
Basic Data
Diplomatic Relations:
- Established in March 1955
- Upgraded into a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in 2025
Number of Residents:
- Number of Japanese nationals residing in Laos: 618 (as of October 2024)
- Number of Lao nationals residing in Japan: 4,205 (as of June 2025)
Trade with Japan (2023):
- Exports: $158.79 million (vehicles, vehicle parts, synthetic fibers, cotton products, electrical equipment)
- Imports: $104.38 million (shoes, clothing, electrical equipment, chemical products, cosmetics)
Direct Investment from Japan:
- 145 Japanese companies are operating in Laos (as of April 2025).
Japan's Economic Cooperation:
- List of Exchange of Notes
- Loans: 48.436 billion yen (Cumulative Total 2022)
- Grants: 177.651 billion yen (Cumulative Total 2022)
- Technical Cooperation: 87.183 billion yen (Cumulative Total 2022)
VIP Visits
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2010 | His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino, Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako of Akishino |
| 2012 | His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito |
| Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda | |
| 2013 | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe |
| 2014 | Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Norio Mitsuya |
| 2015 | Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane (Twice) |
| Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Masakazu Hamachi | |
| 2016 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida (Twice) |
| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe | |
| 2017 | Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kiyoshi ODAWARA |
| Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao HORII | |
| 2018 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro KONO |
| State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki NAKANE | |
| 2019 | State Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiko ABE |
| State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenji WAKAMIYA | |
| Vice President of the House of Councillors Toshio OGAWA | |
| 2020 | Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Seiji KIHARA |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu MOTEGI | |
| 2022 | State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shunsuke TAKEI |
| 2023 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko KAMIKAWA |
| 2024 | Minister for Reconstruction Shinako TSUCHIYA |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko KAMIKAWA | |
| Prime Minister Shigeru ISHIBA |
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong (Twice) |
| 2013 | Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong |
| President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou | |
| 2015 | Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong (Twice) |
| President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou | |
| 2016 | Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith |
| 2017 | Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith |
| 2018 | Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (Twice) |
| 2019 | President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou |
| Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Minister for Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith | |
| Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone | |
| Vice President Phankham Viphavanh (Twice) | |
| 2022 | Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh | |
| Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone | |
| 2023 | President Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and ForeignMinister Saleumxay Kommasith |
| Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith (Twice) | |
| Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone | |
| 2024 | Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Souvansavanh Viyaket |
| Chairperson of the Party External Relations Committee Thongsavanh Phomvihane | |
| 2025 | Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone |
| President Thongloun Sisoulith | |
| Minister of Education and Sports Phouth Simmalavong |