Vietnam, Japan agree to deepen ties in seven key areas

THE HANOI TIMES — Party General Secretary To Lam has called for Vietnam and Japan to deepen their bilateral cooperation across seven strategic pillars, marking an important advancement in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Lam was speaking during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in Hanoi on April 27, as part of Ishiba’s State-level visit to Vietnam.

Among them, he emphasized political trust through regular high-level exchanges, making security and defense cooperation more practical and effective, expanding economic cooperation based on science and technology and high-quality human resources, and Japan's provision of official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam's key infrastructure projects through the new generation of ODA.

Affirming that Vietnam is an indispensable partner of Japan, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru said that Japan will continue to support Vietnam in building an independent and self-reliant economy, pursuing industrialization and modernization and other strategic goals and plans for socio-economic development, and bringing the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new height, including promoting party cooperation between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Scientific and technological innovation emerged as a new cornerstone of the partnership, with both sides committing to joint projects in digital transformation, semiconductor manufacturing, and quantum technology. Other areas of focus include workforce training, green energy transition, and agricultural technology.

Cultural and people-to-people exchanges will be intensified, building on 1,300 years of shared history. Prime Minister Ishiba assured continued support for the 600,000-strong Vietnamese community in Japan and announced Japan's participation in an upcoming international music festival hosted by Vietnam.

The leaders agreed to coordinate closely in multilateral forums, including the United Nations and ASEAN, to address regional and international challenges.

Ishiba's visit came as Vietnam celebrates the 50th anniversary of its reunification and Japan kicks off Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. General Secretary Lam welcomed the timing of the visit, calling it a milestone that would elevate the relationship between the long-time partners.

Ishiba, who is making his first trip to Vietnam as Prime Minister of Japan, and his first visit to Vietnam in 35 years, expressed his admiration for Vietnam's development achievements and the legacy of President Ho Chi Minh. He particularly noted Vietnam's progress in administrative reform and technological advancement under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam.

General Secretary To Lam extended an invitation to the Japanese Emperor and Empress to visit Vietnam, while Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru invited the Vietnamese leader to make an official visit to Japan at the earliest opportunity.