ASEAN-Japan Centre Receives Medal of Friendship from Lao People's Democratic Republic

The ASEAN-Japan Centre (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Secretary General: HIRABAYASHI Kunihiko, hereafter "the Centre"), an international organization, was awarded the Lao People's Democratic Republic's Medal of Friendship by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on October 13, 2025. The Centre was recognized as an organization that has made outstanding contributions to strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations that contribute to the development of Laos.

In 2025, Laos and Japan celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, as well as the 60th anniversary of the dispatch of Japanese volunteers to Laos. To commemorate this, the Lao government awarded medals to Japanese individuals and organizations that have made remarkable achievements in the development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. The Centre was selected as one of the honorable recipient organizations.

On March 24, 2026, an award ceremony was held at the Lao Embassy in Japan, where the Centre was formally presented with the medal by His Excellency Ambassador Amphay Kindavong.

The Centre has contributed to strengthening sustainable economic partnerships between the two countries by collaborating with the governments of Laos and Japan, as well as Japanese companies and organizations, to conduct high-level dialogues on capacity development, investment promotion, and industrial cooperation. In particular, at a high-level dialogue held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations (January 2025), the Centre contributed to identifying investment issues and considering concrete solutions through direct dialogue with Prime Minister Sonexay and Japanese companies.

Regarding this award, Secretary General HIRABAYASHI Kunihiko stated, "I am greatly honored to receive this award. I believe this is the result of the cumulative efforts of the many stakeholders involved in cooperation with Laos and the staff of the Centre. Based on the relationship of trust we have built, we will continue to further develop the partnership between Laos and Japan and contribute to the realization of sustainable economic cooperation."

The Centre will continue to contribute to the further development of Japan-Laos relations and work to further strengthen Japan-ASEAN relations.