Vietnam, Japan lift bilateral relations to comprehensive strategic partnership

Vietnam and Japan on November 27 upgraded their diplomatic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

Vietnam's State President Vo Van Thuong (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the press conference on November 27. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Addressing a press conference on his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Vietnam’s State President Vo Van Thuong expressed his gladness to visit Japan when the two nations celebrate their 50 years of diplomatic relations.

At the meeting, President Thuong and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio highlighted the results and achievements that Vietnam and Japan have reached in the past 50 years.

The two leaders agreed to foster national defense and security relations by organizing meetings for high-ranking officials and strengthening military cooperation.

The two countries will enhance their economic partnership and seek further opportunities in innovation and technology, technological transfer, digital transformation, and green transition.

As official development assistance (ODA) loans from Japan to Vietnam may exceed 100 billion yen (US$672 million) in 2023, President Thuong indicated that the two nations looked forward to better cooperation in the ODA sectors.

President Thuong appreciated that Japan would extend support for developing a self-reliant, independent, industrialized, and modernized economy and facilitate Vietnamese companies to further their roles in the Japanese global supply chains.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio said he has a great relationship with Vietnam and is glad to welcome President Thuong at the latter’s visit to Japan, which marks an important milestone in the two nations’ relations.

The Japanese official said that Vietnam is the key player in implementing the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Acknowledging the essential position of Vietnam in the global supply chains, Fumio said that the two countries will make stronger joint efforts to develop high-tech industries and high-quality workforces.

Regarding people exchanging, the Japanese Prime Minister said that Vietnamese people are an indispensable factor in the country’s socio-economic growth. He added that Vietnam and Japan will look for more partnership programs that make the young generations capable of carrying the two nations’ development and strengthen bilateral cooperation in local-to-local partnerships and tourism.

At the press conference, President Thuong and Prime Minister Fumio emphasized the importance of maintaining international peace, stability and freedom in respect of the laws and agreements.

The two officials promised that Vietnam and Japan would better work together to deal with the shared concerns, including the issues related to the East Sea (South China Sea).

Vietnam and Japan will make best efforts to safeguard marine and air transportation in the region and offer peaceful solutions for any disputes upon international rules, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982).

Meeting with the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance

During his visit to Japan, State President Vo Van Thuong on November 27 received Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Toshihiro Nikai, former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, and other parliamentarians.

President Thuong thanked the Japanese parliamentarians for their affection and efforts to develop a strong relationship between the two peoples and nations.

He suggested that the parliamentarian alliance extend support to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, promote people exchange, and foster cooperation in digital transformation, green transition, high-tech agriculture, education, labor exchange, and tourism.

He said that decentralized partnership, cultural integration, and people exchange will be the key to the prosperity of the two countries in the future.

Vietnamese parliamentarian Toshihiro Nikai and former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide affirmed that Japanese parliamentarians will work their best and contribute to stronger bilateral relations in the said fields.