Laotian Ambassador Viroth Sundara (back row, fifth from right), his wife, Simuang (middle row, seventh from right), and Laos Festival 2019 Organizing Committee Chairman Yuji Arai (middle row, third from left) pose with Laotian Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara (middle row, sixth from left), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiko Abe (middle row, sixth from right), Vice Secretary-General of the Japan-Lao Parliamentary Friendship Union Yuko Obuchi and other ambassadors, politicians, businessmen and festival participants during the opening ceremony for Laos Festival 2019 at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on May 25. | YOSHIAKI MIURA