Princess Aiko, the daughter of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, will visit Laos from Monday on her first official overseas trip.
Princess Aiko will leave Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to start a six-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation. The two countries are marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
Princess Aiko will pay a courtesy call on President Thongloun Sisoulith in the capital Vientiane on Tuesday. She will attend a banquet hosted by Vice President Pany Yathotou, the same day.
During her stay, Princess Aiko will visit the Lao-Japan Budo Center, where Japanese overseas volunteers teach martial arts.
She will also tour a museum dedicated to exhibitions about unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War.
The Princess is also scheduled to travel to the ancient capital of Luang Prabang in northern Laos, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. She will visit temples as well as a children’s hospital established by a Japanese non-governmental organization.
Princess Aiko plans to return to Japan on November 22.
A close aide to the Princess says a university professor is instructing her on the history and culture of Laos in preparation for her visit.
In 2012, Emperor Naruhito, then the Crown Prince, also made an official visit to Laos. The aide says he is sharing his experiences with Princess Aiko. Specifically, the aide says he showed her photos from his stay and traditional outfits he received.
AloJapan.com