"What is there in Laos, anyway?" A Journey of Learning: Part 2

Well, driven by curiosity, I have finally arrived in Laos.
What kind of learning and unexpected insights will I gain on this journey of learning in Laos?

Note that since I want to write about this as a journey of learning, I will write from a different perspective than a typical travel essay.

Social Contribution Overseas

I secretly hold "social contribution" as my life's purpose and the meaning of my existence.
Although I work for a private for-profit company, that awareness remains unchanged.
I want to cherish that sentiment even when I am abroad.

Since I always keep the awareness of social contribution in my heart, I am sometimes naturally drawn to the scent emitted by people or organizations that share similar thoughts.
Therefore, in this journey of learning in Laos, I would like to talk about the experience of gaining insights related to social contribution.

Laos, Just Around the Corner

It is a one hour and twenty minute flight from Bangkok. After takeoff, as the aircraft gains altitude and you flip through a few pages of a book, the green land spreads out below from the window, and before you even have time to take a nap, you arrive in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

A Testament to Friendship Between Laos and Japan

When I left the airport, there was an inscription with the Japanese flag and the Lao flag side by side.

The inscription reads as follows:
"Vientiane International Airport Expansion Project, as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Japan, funded by Japanese ODA" (translated by the author).

Vientiane International Airport Expansion Project via Japanese ODA

What kind of project is this ODA "Vientiane International Airport Expansion Project"? I looked it up.

The majestic Mekong River flows through the country and handles logistics, but for moving around Laos, which is mostly covered by mountains, the development of air routes is indeed essential.
In fact, development projects have been ongoing even after this airport expansion project, and the cooperative relationship between Japan and Laos continues to this day.

Airport Bus

There is a distance of about 20 minutes by car from the airport to the city. The price for a taxi is not high, but since I like public transportation, I tried using the airport bus. It was about 250 yen one way.
This bus has the Japanese flag painted on its body. This also seems to be a gift from Japan.

At Immigration

This is a story from when the plane landed and I went through immigration.
I followed other foreigners at immigration and casually lined up in the foreign passport lane.
While talking to the strangers in line with me, saying things like "This is the right place, right?", I saw a sign on the wall that said "Arrival Visa $50," so I eagerly prepared my cash and waited for the line to move.
When it was finally my turn and I tried to hand my passport and cash to the immigration officer, I was told, "No. You go to that lane. You don't need a visa." At first, I didn't understand what they meant, but the foreigner I had been chatting with earlier said to me, "Japanese people don't need a visa, huh? You're lucky."

Necessity of a Tourist Visa

By the way, in what cases is a tourist visa unnecessary?
In general immigration administration, the necessity of a visa for foreign tourists upon entry varies depending on the nationality of the entrant, and it seems to be determined by comprehensively judging factors such as diplomatic relations between the countries involved and immigration risks.

I looked into tourist visa exemptions in Laos.

First, the countries for which Laos waives tourist visas include Japan, South Korea, and some European countries, in addition to neighboring ASEAN countries.
Next, I looked into the background of why Laos waives visas for these countries, but I could not find any clear, officially disclosed basis.

Although I could not find a clear basis, I felt that complex factors such as mutual trust between nations, human exchange, ASEAN diplomacy, and contributions to the country's development through ODA were comprehensively judged and reflected in the immigration control system.
This is just my personal impression, but among the many countries that have relations with Laos, the fact that Japan has also built a cooperative relationship with Laos may be one of the backgrounds.

Therefore, I believe that the benefit of this visa exemption was not obtained by luck, but is based on the relationship built through the efforts of our predecessors in both countries. I must not forget that, and I felt that I, too, must inherit and develop that spirit now.

Diplomatic Relations between Laos and Japan

So, besides this airport expansion ODA project, how has Japan been involved with Laos?
When I looked into it, I found that Japan's ODA to Laos has actually involved many types of cooperation that have been ongoing for many years.

I will introduce the history of diplomacy along with the history of ODA.
Laos and Japan formally established diplomatic relations in 1955 after the war.
In 2025, which marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, various cultural exchange events and friendship projects were held in both countries to commemorate the milestone.
I am sure many of you have seen the news about Princess Aiko's visit to Laos.

As for specific agreements, diplomatic relations between Laos and Japan were established as a "Partnership" in 2010 with the aim of strengthening political and economic cooperation, upgraded to a "Strategic Partnership" in 2015, and upgraded to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" in this milestone year.

Incidentally, it seems that Laos was the first country in the world to accept the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), which has been providing development assistance around the world. That was 60 years ago, in 1965.

And even now, Laos and Japan have built good diplomatic relations.
I feel a sense of respect for the people of both countries who have worked hard for the development of both nations until now.

Supplementary Note

It is an undeniable fact that Japan has contributed to the development of Laos, but many countries other than Japan have naturally contributed a great deal to the development of Laos, and funding and technical assistance have also been provided by countries other than Japan. Although I cannot introduce them here, I would like to add that point.
Also, while recognizing the fact that Japan has contributed through economic aid and technical support after the war, I would like to add that we must not forget that the history of what Japan did in Asia during the war remains in the memories of the people of Southeast Asia.

Visiting the Capital

Changing the subject, when I visit a country for the first time on an overseas trip, I try to walk around the capital as much as possible.
In order to feel the power structure of the country and the separation of the three powers of legislation, administration, and judiciary, I try to visit the parliament, government offices, and courts, which are the bases of activity for each power.
This time, too, I walked around the capital and visited the parliament, government offices, and courts.

Since the topic of the separation of powers has come up, I will briefly introduce the political system of Laos.
Laos is a socialist republic. Following the Laotian Civil War, the monarchy was abolished in 1975 and the "Lao People's Democratic Republic" was established. Since then, the one-party rule of the "Lao People's Revolutionary Party" has continued.
Although there is a system of separation of powers, government policy decisions are made by the Party's Politburo and Central Committee, so they are effectively based on the Party's decision-making.
Common characteristics seen in socialist countries in East and Southeast Asia can also be observed.

Judicial System: Legal System Support Project

Regarding the judiciary among the three powers, although its nature is different from that of Japan, the development of laws in Laos, including the Civil Code, is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Justice and JICA.
While adopting a socialist system, Laos is promoting a market economy. Japan has also played a part in supporting the process of developing the Civil Code necessary for a market economy.

I want to drink cold mango juice in hot Laos

Well, July, when I visited, was extremely hot and humid, and after walking around the capital, I, who am weak against heat, was exhausted.
At times like this, I thought, "I want to rest in a cool cafe and drink cold mango juice!"
So, while wandering through the alleys of the capital, Vientiane, in search of comfort, I found a nice-looking cafe.
It looks like I'll be able to get some cold, delicious mango juice.

The stylish cafe I casually entered was an inclusive cafe

I immediately entered that nice-looking cafe.
The name of the shop was "Minnano Cafe".
The air-conditioned, comfortable air dried my dripping sweat, and I felt refreshed.

I found out after entering that this cafe was actually a shop with the purpose of providing a workplace for people with disabilities. It is an inclusive cafe where people with various characteristics work.
Lao sign language was posted in the store. It's nice to be able to order from hearing-impaired staff using this sign language without any problems, and above all, to be able to express gratitude by saying "It was delicious, thank you."
The fatigue of my body exhausted by the heat and the mental fatigue of an unfamiliar journey were completely healed in this cafe, and in the end, I expressed my thanks in sign language and left the shop.

By the way, I wondered what the name of this shop, "Minnano Cafe," meant, so I looked it up and found that it was just the Japanese word "Minnano Cafe" (Everyone's Cafe).
When I looked into it a little more, I found that this cafe was actually an activity of an international NPO run by Japanese people called "Asian Disability Development and Participation (ADDP)."
It is important for everyone to fulfill their respective social roles through work. I agree with the purpose.

It is deeply moving to learn that Japanese people are active in various places for the sake of society, not just through ODA.
Witnessing such dedicated activities leads me to think that I, too, must act from an altruistic perspective. And I cannot help but wonder what I might be able to do.

*This article is not based on interviews or requests, but on the author's personal experience.

Conclusion

The lessons learned on this trip are too numerous to list.
During this trip, I gained many insights beyond what I have written here on note.
There were also historical and cultural lessons gained through sightseeing.
I also have many memorable experiences, such as conversations with the Laotian people and foreigners I met on my travels. I was able to encounter different values.

I love reading books in my room, but I realize that sometimes, by traveling and throwing myself into an unknown world, I can gain new knowledge that I could not have known before.
I see travel as a chance to discover new realms that can never be obtained through modern social media algorithms.

I am naturally an indoor person, but I want to motivate myself on my days off and continue my journey of learning in the future.

Thank you all so much for reading until the end!