JCP int'l head returns home from Laos

Japanese Communist Party International Bureau Director Ogata Yasuo (Upper House member) and Vice-director Kasai Akira returned to Tokyo on November 30 after visiting Laos at the invitation of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP).

The two JCP representatives were in Vientiane for four days from November 26 after attending the Second International Conference of Asian Political Parties in Bangkok, Thailand.

They held talks with Laotian Vice-Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavat and the LPRP's External Commission Vice-Chair Thongsing Inthavong to discuss issues of world peace.

On November 28, Thongsing gave a farewell party for the JCP representatives.

Thanking the LPRP for their warm hospitality, Ogata said, "We had meaningful discussions. We hope we can make this visit a major step toward increasing direct contacts between our two parties."

Thongsing said he has his deepened understanding of the JCP and expressed hope that the two parties will meet more frequently. (end)