Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith Conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star

16/02/2026 13:22

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ຂປລ Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Former Minister of Health of the Lao PDR, was awarded the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. The honour, conferred by H.M. the Emperor of Japan, was officially presented by Mr. Koizumi Tsutomu, Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR, during a ceremony held on February 6, 2026, at the Ambassador’s residence in Vientiane Capital.

The event was attended by Former Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh and other VIPs. Ambassador Koizumi congratulated Dr. Bounfeng and expressed gratitude for his enduring contributions to strengthening Japan–Laos relations in the health sector.

Since his appointment as Minister of Health in March 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Bounfeng played a crucial role in coordinating with Japan to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of medical equipment and vaccines, significantly supporting public health efforts during a challenging period in Laos.

Dr. Bounfeng also advanced high-level health diplomacy between Japan and Laos. During the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Japan in 2021, he met with the Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare to advocate for enhanced bilateral cooperation. In 2024, as Laos chaired ASEAN, he successfully led the ASEAN+3 Health Ministers’ Meeting, engaging with ministers including Japan’s Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

A strong advocate for human resource development, Dr. Bounfeng, as head of the Nagoya University Alumni Association of Laos, encouraged Ministry of Health officials to pursue higher education in Japan through programs such as the Young Leaders Program (YLP) and the Japan International Development Scholarship (JDS), fostering the next generation of skilled health professionals.

Upon receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, Dr. Bounfeng expressed his gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting friendly and cooperative relations between Laos and Japan.

KPL

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