TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, returned Saturday from her first official overseas visit to Laos to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries.

"It was a fulfilling, memorable visit," the 23-year-old princess said in a statement released through the Imperial Household Agency. "It was encouraging that rich exchanges between the two countries are also taking root among younger generations."

During her six-day stay in the Southeast Asian nation, the princess paid a courtesy call on Laos' President Thongloun Sisoulith and delivered a message from her parents.

The princess also visited symbolic sites in the capital Vientiane, including the Patuxai war monument, and traveled to the ancient capital Luang Prabang.

Her trip also included a visit to an education center on unexploded ordnance in Laos, a supply route used by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The United States dropped an estimated 2 million to 3 million tons of bombs and cluster munitions on Laos during the war.

As a member of the imperial family whose role includes fostering international friendship, she interacted with local people, including at a children's hospital built with Japanese aid.

On the last day of her trip, she viewed a silk exhibition in Vientiane and tried weaving using a traditional loom. She also met with Japanese nationals working in the country, including those dispatched by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

In the statement released upon her return to Japan, the princess expressed her expectations for progress in the countries' relations and deeper mutual understanding between their peoples.

"I sincerely hope that our friendship and cooperation will develop further," she said.