A new chapter in relations between Kumamoto and Laos will begin this fall. As the article indicates the “route will offer the first regular flights connecting Japan and Laos.” So, this is national news as well as local news.
You may wonder “Why Kumamoto?”, as we do not have a history of being the first choice for international flights. Well, apparently there were two main factors in the decision: distance and availability. The type of aircraft that will be used needs to land in Kyushu but Fukuoka was deemed to be too busy. So, Kumamoto got the call. Japanese language source: https://tabiris.com/archives/laosair-kumamoto/
When I first heard the news, I thought it might have something to do with Hiroomi Sakai, who was Japan’s ambassador to Laos from 1995 to 1999 and has been very active in promoting Laos-Kumamoto relations since his return to his hometown of Kumamoto. He started a Laotian-Thai restaurant called Singkham (シンカム), which I used to love. Unfortunately it closed in January of this year.
https://higojournal.com/archives/shinkamu.html
Sadly, Mr. Sakai passed away in the spring of 2017, an event that probably had something to do with the closing of the restaurant.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1115542291907145&id=276542999140416&__tn__=-R
Though Mr. Sakai’s activities may not have had a direct causal relationship with the establishment of the new international route, I think it can be viewed as a continuation of his legacy.
– Kirk
