HISTORY
HISTORY OF LJI
Under the Socialist Regime, the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic had a planned socialist economy with state enterprises and cooperatives until 1986 when the New Economic Mechanisms (NEM) were introduced. Since then, the market economy is growing but it has become an increasingly urgent task to train human resources to compete in the ASEAN market with skills in modern industrial technology and practical management for the market economy.
In January 2000, for the first time in 33 years Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi made an official visit to Laos to support their transition period to a market economy. Japan promised to help advance human resource development through the exchange of persons from and to both nations. Thereafter, the Laos-Japan Human Resource Development Center was proposed as a base for this relationship. The development of Laos-Japan Institute can be seen in four different phases with specific characteristics as follows:
PROJECT INFORMATION
Laos-Japan Human Resource Development Center Project Phase 1
2000.9 – 2006.8
Activities:
Business management training
Japanese language training
Cultural exchange programs
Library services
Detail:
Business management training initially saw high demand due to a lack of modern skills among local businesspeople.
After several years of program operation, participation declined. LJI adjusted the programs to meet the demand in society.
New Activities:
MBA program
Study in Japan Fair
Honda Award for Young Engineers and Scientists program
On-site management consultation
Business forums
Detail:
On May 11, 2010, the center was officially upgraded to Laos-Japan Institute (LJI).
This expansion laid the foundation for continued JICA support in the next phase.
Laos-Japan Institute・Business Human Resource Development Project
New Activities:
Action research
Support for Japanese investment
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test
Detail:
Japan Foundation Language Center was established in LJI.
Laos-Japan Institute Private Sector Development Support Capacity Enhancement Project
2014.9 – 2019.8
New Activities:
Job fairs
Business seminars, business matching, and capacity building
- Case study development
Keiei-juku (Executive Management Course)
Start-Up Program
LJI Business Café
Detail:
Emphasis on strengthening LJI’s role as a think tank for business and investment
- Activities extended beyond Vientiane to Savannakhet province
Laos-Japan Institute Business Human Resource・Networking Strengthening Project Phase 1
2019.9 – 2022.8
Laos-Japan Institute Business Human Resource・Networking Strengthening Project Phase 2
2022.9 – 2026.8
Ongoing
