Japan, Laos Agree to Enhance Security Cooperation; Tokyo Will Support Laotian Economy, Infrastructure Maintenance

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:15 JST, January 22, 2025

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone agreed to enhance mutual political and security cooperation at their summit meeting held Tuesday at the Prime Minister’s Office.

A joint statement was issued which stipulated that the two countries will set up dialogues between their respective foreign ministries’ directors general and their parliamentary secretaries of defense.

The aim is to strengthen ties between Japan and Laos, which is strongly influenced by China.

It is feared that Laos may fall into a “debt trap” in which its government debt would balloon due to loans extended by China.

The joint statement stipulated that Japan will “further support” Laos’ efforts toward “autonomous economic development” and “fiscal stabilization.”

More concretely, Japan will help Laos build and improve basic infrastructure such as electric power facilities and bridges.