KPL - Asean 2024
A group of 10 Japanese high school students and supervisors from Gunma Prefecture visited Laos from March 10–15 to interact with Lao youth and learn more about the longstanding cooperative relationship between Laos and Japan.
During their stay, the delegation met with Lao high school students and attended a lecture by the Japan International Cooperation Agency on the history of cooperation between the two countries.
The delegation included seven students aged 16–18 and three supervisors from the Gunma Federation of World Youth, an organization established in 1974 to promote international youth exchange.
The visit was organized in cooperation with the Lao Alumni Youth Club for Friendship Program, an internal organization of the Lao Youth Union and an alumni association of Lao participants in Japan exchange programmes.
The initiative followed a visit to Gunma in 2024 by LAYCFP President Yangpao Payaveu at the invitation of Yoshimasa Sumiya, chairman of the Gunma Federation of World Youth. The two sides agreed to launch a youth exchange programme as part of activities marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Japan in 2025.
During the programme, the students visited major temples in Vientiane, attended a lecture on Laos–Japan cooperation by JICA and paid a courtesy call on Mina Sivilay, Deputy Secretary-General of the Lao Youth Union.
They also met with Lao high school students in Vientiane to exchange views on their respective countries. Despite initial nervousness, the students quickly connected through conversations in English and exchanged social media contacts.
The delegation later travelled to Vang Vieng, where they experienced the country’s natural environment, local markets and traditional cuisine.
One participant, Maeda Sawa, 18, said the visit gave her a new perspective on Laos.
“After visiting and experiencing the kindness of the people, Laos now feels very close to me,” she said, adding that she hopes to return again in the future.
KPL
