(KPL)  On December 3, 2025 — Laos and Japan have signed an Exchange of Notes for a major grant aid project worth 2.865 billion yen aimed at improving hospital services in southern Laos.

The agreement was signed in Vientiane by Phongsamout Anlavanh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Lao government, and Koizumi Tsutomu, Japan’s Ambassador to Laos. Officials from both sides were present to witness the ceremony.

The project will address rising demand for medical services in the southern region by upgrading provincial hospitals into regional medical centres capable of receiving patients from neighbouring provinces. The support includes infrastructure development, enhancement of technical capacity, and provision of essential medical equipment. It also involves the transfer of Japan’s expertise in improving medical quality, strengthening patient referral systems and ensuring patient safety.

The signing comes just two weeks after the visit of Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko to Laos, during which she toured the Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang — a reminder that public health cooperation remains a central pillar of Laos–Japan relations.

This initiative also coincides with two milestones: the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and 60 years since the first Japanese volunteers arrived in Laos.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Anlavanh expressed appreciation for Japan’s longstanding support, describing it as crucial for national development over the past seven decades. Ambassador Koizumi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Laos, saying the project represents one of many key programmes under the expanding Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and aims to deliver tangible benefits to people in both nations.

KPL