Attorney Akitaka Azanbo (right) and Akihiro Ishizaki discuss the significance of Japan's legal-development assistance, holding Laos’s civil code, which Japan helped draft. July, Vientiane. (©Sankei by Tomo Kuwamura)
"Japanese experts have developed a shared understanding with Laos and have been providing steady help," said Bounkhouang Thavisack, Vice President of the People's Supreme Court of Laos. "This has helped us advance the necessary legal framework."
Thavisack expressed appreciation to Japan for its longstanding assistance in strengthening his country's judicial system.
In recent years, China has expanded its influence in Laos through its large-scale Belt and Road projects, deepening the country's economic dependence on Beijing.
By contrast, Japan has provided Official Development Assistance to Laos for nearly 60 years and was the first destination for the inaugural group of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in 1965.
For decades, Tokyo has offered continuous, long-term support to the Southeast Asian nation, maintaining a relationship marked by continuity and trust.
Legal System Cooperation
One symbolic example is Japan's support for the Laotian legal system, which began in 1998.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has since dispatched lawyers and prosecutors to help address inconsistencies among individually enacted laws and to strengthen the capabilities of local legal professionals.
"We learned a great deal from Japanese experts," Thavisack said.
The National Institute of Justice, which trains legal professionals, was, for instance, modeled after its Japanese counterpart. Finalized in 2024, the revised Civil Procedure Code adopts concepts like "claimable rights" from Japan, ensuring more appropriate judicial decisions.
Thavisack himself studied at Nagoya University's Graduate School through a JICA program. He recalls being "deeply impressed by Japan's well-established legal system and strong culture of compliance."
After returning home, he drew on Japan's tiered court structure — from summary courts to the Supreme Court — to help reform Laos' judiciary.
Exporting the Rule of Law
With Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other global flashpoints, attempts to ignore international law and alter the status quo by force continue unabated. Against this backdrop, Japan is effectively "exporting" the rule of law.
"I hear that many countries aim for short-term results through large-scale aid. But Japan takes the time to consult closely with local stakeholders and provide solutions that truly meet their needs," said Akitaka Azanbo, a JICA lawyer dispatched to Laos.
"Though it takes time, people here appreciate this special kind of support that Japan offers."
Laos has a unique system of "village mediation," under which disputes are first addressed through discussions within the village before reaching the courts. However, fair judgments are not always guaranteed. Loopholes in existing laws remain, and legal interpretations are often inconsistent.
"While legal procedures are common in Japan, many people in Laos are unfamiliar with them. Although differences of opinion arise during clause reviews, we have prioritized local preferences rather than imposing Japanese perspectives," Azanbo said.
"What matters," he added, "is fostering a legal system and personnel that truly serve Laos' interests."
Legal Knowledge Across Borders
Additionally, Laos now possesses numerous legal texts and related publications developed with Japanese support.
For example, an article-by-article commentary on the Civil Code explains each provision through case studies, while a general principles of criminal law textbook outlines the theories applied to various crimes.
According to JICA, Japan's assistance for legal reform has expanded in a total of 29 countries, including China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, and several African nations. The initiative began in 1996 with Vietnam.
In 2025, Ukraine also became a focus, with efforts underway to combat corruption. Through these initiatives, Japan is pursuing a distinctive form of "judicial diplomacy," separate from the approaches of the United States and China.
Many developing nations often resist the imposition of Western values such as human rights and democracy. They are, however, more receptive to the concept of the rule of law, which emphasizes common rules that apply to all nations.
Fostering Good Governance
"The civil and criminal codes that Japan has exported have become national norms," Azanbo noted. "If a mindset rooted in the rule of law takes hold, it could improve governance across the entire country and make it harder for the nation to slide into extreme authoritarianism."
Although Laos shares a communist party system similar to China and remains heavily dependent on Beijing, it's also a pro-Japan country.
"Laos is an important friend to us," said Akihiro Ishizaki, a lawyer working alongside Azanbo.
"With USAID now largely dismantled, there is a growing recognition that strengthening the rule of law in countries under significant Chinese influence is critically important. Japan must remain steadfast."
In a world where authoritarianism is on the rise, Japan carries a vital responsibility as a leading democratic nation committed to upholding the rule of law.
[*This article was first published in The Sankei Shimbun on September 14]
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Author: Tomo Kuwamura, The Sankei Shimbun
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