Laos, Japan Deepen Partnership with Focus on Clean Energy, Technology and Agriculture

Laos and Japan have agreed to strengthen cooperation across a range of key economic sectors, including clean energy, technology, agriculture, tourism and advanced industries, as both countries seek to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and promote sustainable economic growth.

The commitment was reaffirmed during talks between Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Wednesday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 31st Nikkei International Conference on the Future of Asia.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of expanding economic cooperation, trade and investment, particularly in sectors capable of driving innovation, enhancing energy security and supporting long-term development. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest.

Prime Minister Takaichi congratulated Mr Sonexay on his re-election in March and thanked the Lao government and people for the warm hospitality extended to Japan’s Princess Aiko during her official visit to Laos in November 2025, her first official overseas trip. She also praised the success of the 2026 Lao Festival in Tokyo, noting its role in strengthening cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

For his part, Mr Sonexay congratulated Ms Takaichi on her re-election in February and commended Japan’s leadership in hosting the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit on energy resilience in April. He expressed support for Japan’s POWERR Asia initiative, which aims to strengthen regional cooperation and resilience in the energy sector.

The Lao prime minister reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to enhancing its longstanding friendship and cooperation with Japan through both bilateral engagement and regional frameworks, including ASEAN-Japan cooperation.

Mr Sonexay also expressed appreciation for Japan’s decades-long development assistance, which has contributed significantly to Laos’ progress in infrastructure, public health, agriculture, forestry and human resource development. He highlighted Japan’s continued support for unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance operations and the contribution of experts and volunteers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

During the meeting, Mr Sonexay invited Japan to send a high-level representative to attend the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which Laos will host in Vientiane in September. He also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Takaichi to visit Laos.

The visit underscored growing momentum in Laos-Japan relations, with both countries seeking to expand economic opportunities, strengthen regional cooperation and address shared development challenges in an increasingly dynamic Asia-Pacific region.