VIENTIANE ¨C Princess Aiko, who is on an official visit to Laos, visited an education center on unexploded ordnance in the capital of Vientiane on Wednesday.
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 Cope Visitor Center, Princess Aiko 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.
She also met with a Japan International Cooperation Agency expert who is helping Laos create plans to remove unexploded shells, asking, ¡°What are the difficulties of disposal?¡±
¡°I hope Laos will be free of unexploded bombs,¡± she told center officials after the tour.
On the same day, Princess Aiko visited a martial arts center built with Japanese support and interacted with children and young people. She asked a Lao national judo team member about the attraction of the sport.
The princess also viewed a Japanese language class at a combined junior and senior high school in Vientiane.
On Tuesday, she paid a courtesy call on Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith at the presidential office in Vientiane.
The visit is part of the official events to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos. Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, attended the event wearing a traditional dress presented by the Lao side.
The president expressed hope for the continued development of friendship between the two countries. Princess Aiko said she was very happy that Lao people had treated her warmly and that she met with the president in person.
The princess also met with Vice President Pany Yathotou and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone separately. She delivered a message from her parents to the president, the vice president and the prime minister.
Princess Aiko 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 was pleased that Japan and Laos have built a history of friendship and cooperation over many years.
Earlier on Tuesday, Princess Aiko visited the Pha That Luang golden stupa in the most prestigious Buddhist temple in Vientiane.
The princess was greeted with music and dancing from local people. She responded by putting her hands together and smiling, and offered flowers and candles in front of Buddha statues.
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