Japan-Laos Relations
Foreign Minister Kono Visits the Lao PDR (Visit to Economic Cooperation Sites etc.)
April 7, 2018
On Saturday, April 7, H.E. Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, looked around Vientiane City. The overview is as follows.
- 1 Wattay International Airport
- 2 COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) Visitor Center
- 3 Blind soccer
1 Wattay International Airport
Minister Kono visited the Wattay International Airport, which is being developed with the support of the Government of Japan, and received an explanation on the state of the project from the senior officials from the Lao PDR's Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the representatives from the Japanese companies involved in the development.
[Reference] Wattay International Airport Terminal Expansion Project
Since 2013 a project has been underway to expand the international passenger terminal building and build a new domestic passenger terminal building, upgrade car parks, airport roads and taxiways, and establish maintenance workshops etc. based on a yen loan from the Government of Japan. Wattay International Airport is the only airport in the Lao PDR's capital of Vientiane.
Since 2013 a project has been underway to expand the international passenger terminal building and build a new domestic passenger terminal building, upgrade car parks, airport roads and taxiways, and establish maintenance workshops etc. based on a yen loan from the Government of Japan. Wattay International Airport is the only airport in the Lao PDR's capital of Vientiane.
2 COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) Visitor Center
Minister Kono visited a visitor center that is managed by COPE, an NGO that provides support for UXO (unexploded ordnance) victims, and received an explanation regarding the current state of the UXO problem in the Lao PDR. The Government of Japan has been implementing support in the field of UXO disposal on both the tangible and intangible fronts for many years.
[Reference] Japanese support that is currently being implemented
- Project for Strengthening Management Capacity of UXO Lao: Supports the strengthening of management capabilities including implementing and monitoring planned removal activities through the dispatch of Japanese experts, and the promotion of south-south cooperation with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).
- Project for Acceleration of UXO Clearance for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication: Provides support for the introduction of and training in bush cutter equipment, the establishment of removal activity bases and removal activity costs.
- Project for Promoting the Machine Removal of Cluster Munitions in Xiangkhouang Province etc.: Supports the introduction of safe and effective UXO disposal methods by the JMAS (Japan Mine Action Service) using UXO disposal machines and the bomb-cutting method.
3 Blind soccer
Minister Kono visited the Lao PDR blind football national team's training ground in Vientiane, and encouraged the team on its training for the Tokyo Paralympic Games under a Japanese coach. Minister Kono also presented the team with blind footballs (provided by the Japan Blind Football Association (JBFA) and the uniform (supplied by the Japan Football Association).
[Reference]
Lao PDR's only blind soccer team was established in June 2016, with a Japanese NPO playing a central role. As a result of the team growing stronger through short-term invitations extended to Japanese coaches who specialize in blind soccer, the team won a silver medal in its debut at the 9th ASEAN Para Games in September 2017. A Japanese national who lives locally serves as the team's manager.
Lao PDR's only blind soccer team was established in June 2016, with a Japanese NPO playing a central role. As a result of the team growing stronger through short-term invitations extended to Japanese coaches who specialize in blind soccer, the team won a silver medal in its debut at the 9th ASEAN Para Games in September 2017. A Japanese national who lives locally serves as the team's manager.