Princess Aiko celebrated at Embassy in Tokyo

Princess Aiko, the Princess Toshi attended a deeply meaningful engagement in Tokyo. It almost went under the radar. 

There was a simple entry in the Imperial Household Agency’s “court circular” last week. It noted that Princess Aiko attended a dinner at the Laotian Embassy in Tokyo. No other information was given. A post later appeared on the Embassy’s social media account with some very touching details.

Princess Aiko undertook her first official trip abroad last year by visiting the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). It was a very successful trip from every aspect. The Princess was well received at every place she visited. The Princess toured various landmarks and locations, including attending a state dinner hosted by the Vice President Pany Yathotou. Princess Aiko, in a written statement, spoke of the “warmth and consideration shown by the people of Laos” at the conclusion of the trip.

Last Wednesday, the Laotian Embassy in Tokyo hosted a dinner and Baci ceremony in celebration of the Princess’s visit:

The event was held to celebrate the successful of Her Imperial Highness’s official visit to the Lao PDR in November 2025, it was a historic milestone marking the 70th Anniversary of Lao-Japan Diplomatic Relations and the 60th Anniversary of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers program in the Lao PDR.

During the event, Ambassador Amphay Kindavong, representing the Lao government and the Lao people, expressed sincere gratitude for the Princess’s visit and emphasized that the visit not only brought warm friendship to the Lao people but also significantly strengthened the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations and further promoted cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The Baci (Baci Sou Khuan, also spelt Basi) is a traditional Laotian ceremony marked on significant occasions where a person takes a white cotton string attached to an altar, wraps the string around one’s hands and wrist, then prays for the continued health of the person. There is a belief that the “32 organs in the body” contain 32 different spirits. As we move through life, these spirits wander from oneself. The ceremony is believed to bring these spirits back to the person with good health and fortune. The ceremony can, though, be performed during moments of physical or spiritual anguish.

Princess Aiko attended a Baci ceremony in Laos just before the state dinner held in honour of the Princess last November.

One meaningful gesture from Princess Aiko was apparent last Wednesday. She was wearing the “Sinh” gifted to her from the spouse of the Laotian President, Madame Naly Sisoulith, for last year’s visit. The Princess’s traditional sinh is woven with floral motifs, symbolising abundance and demonstrates the advanced techniques of Lao artisans. The Laotian Presidential Couple also sought Princess Aiko’s favourite colours in advance for the creation of the sinh.

The Laotian Embassy also noted:

On this occasion, Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the warm and honorable hospitality extended by the Lao government and people during her visit and remarked that her journey to the Lao PDR was filled with beautiful memories and great impressions, expressing her delight in contributing to the development and deepening of bilateral exchanges between the two countries.