Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Phongsamouth Anlavan and the Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Mr Koizumi Tsutomu, shake hands after signing an agreement on the provision of scholarships, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane on Tuesday.

Japan provides 420 million yen for scholarship funding

Japan has pledged JPY420 million (US$2.6 million) to strengthen human resource development in Laos, reinforcing the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Phongsamouth Anlavan and the Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Mr Koizumi Tsutomu, on Tuesday signed an exchange of notes concerning the provision of funds for scholarships. 
The additional funding is part of Japan’s longstanding support for human resource development in Laos.
Over the past 25 years, more than 500 Lao government staff have studied for master’s and doctorate degrees in Japan under Japanese government scholarships.
Their fields of study include public administration, economics, international relations, agriculture, and environmental science.
Graduates of the scholarship programme have used their new knowledge to help drive the development of Laos upon their return to the country.
Ms Phongsamouth thanked the Japanese government and people for their longstanding support for Laos in areas including infrastructure, education, public health, agriculture, and unexploded ordnance clearance.
Japan has also provided emergency aid during natural disasters and funded improvements to schools and teacher training centres in remote areas.
She said the scholarships provided by Japan would be used effectively and hoped that Japan would continue to support Laos’ human resource development.
She also reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and noted that both countries were marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.
Ambassador Koizumi said Japan would continue to work closely with Laos to strengthen friendship and promote shared development for the benefit of both nations.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 26, 2025)