Princess Aiko, daughter of Japan's Emperor, continued her official visit to Laos by touring an education center on unexploded ordnance in Vientiane. The visit highlights ongoing efforts to address wartime remnants from the Vietnam War era. Earlier, she met with Laotian leaders to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic ties.
Princess Aiko spent the first day of her official visit to Laos on November 19, 2025, in the capital Vientiane. She first visited the Pha That Luang golden stupa at the most prestigious Buddhist temple in Vientiane, where she was welcomed with music and dancing from local people. The princess responded by putting her hands together, smiling, and offering flowers and candles in front of Buddha statues.
She then paid a courtesy call on President Thongloun Sisoulith at the presidential office, wearing a traditional Lao dress presented by the Laotian side. This was part of official events marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos. The president expressed hope for the continued development of friendship between the two countries. Princess Aiko said, "I am very happy that Laotian people have treated me very warmly and that I met with the president in person."
The princess also met separately with Vice President Pany Yathotou and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, delivering a message from her parents to the president, vice president, and prime minister. She then changed into a kimono and attended a banquet hosted by the vice president at a hotel in Vientiane. Following a welcome speech by the vice president, the princess said she is pleased that Japan and Laos have built a history of friendship and cooperation over many years.
On the following day, November 20, Princess Aiko visited the Cope Visitor Center, an education facility on unexploded ordnance. Between 1964 and 1973 during the Vietnam War, the U.S. military dropped more than 2 million tons of bombs in Laos to block supply routes for the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. Work is still ongoing to remove unexploded ordnance. At the center, she viewed a model showing numerous submunitions released from a cluster bomb and listened to an explanation that a submunition can destroy an area of about 30 square meters.