LSAJ

(KPL) The Embassy of Japan to the Lao PDR in collaboration with the Ministry of Education on 9 March held a farewell party for the Lao 1st High School Students delegation who will visit Japan under the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange of Students and Youths (JENESYS) at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane.

The delegation comprised 27 Lao students from six provinces: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane province, Borikhamsay, Savannakhet, Saravane and Sayaboury provinces.

The students were also accompanied by two teachers and one official from the Ministry of Education.

These students were selected by the officials of the Japan International Cooperation Centre (JICE) and the Ministry of Education. The programme will start from 11 to 20 March and the students will be divided into two groups to visit a high school in Nagano Prefecture and Tottori Prefecture and undergo a homestay programme.

The programme will offer an opportunity for Lao students to exchange culture, education and make friends with young people from Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam and other countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador Maasaki Miya****a said that it was hoped that through this programme, young people of Japan and the Lao PDR will deepen and strengthen their mutual understanding and trust to promote the Japan-Laos relationship.

He continued that “At the Second East Asia Summit (EAS) held in January 2007, the former Prime Minister of Japan Mr Shinzo Abe announced a plan that the Government of Japan would invite approximately 6,000 young people every year for five years to Japan from East Asia Member countries to help lay the foundation for solidarity in Asia”.

Based on this plan, the government of Japan launched the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for students and Youths programme in 2007.

Attending at the function were Vice-Minister of Education Mr. Lytou Bouapao, Mr. Khamsing Sayakone, Chairman of the Economy, Planning and Finance Commission of the National Assembly who is also President of the Lao-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Association, and Colonel Mr. Thavone Tandavong, Vice-Chairman of the National Defence and Security Commission and Vice-President of the Lao-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Association, and other high-ranking Lao officials.