Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio at the Celebration Ceremony – Photo: VGP/Hai Minh
On the evening of February 23, in Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son attended the Celebration Ceremony of the 64th birthday of Emperor Naruhito (February 23, 1960 – February 23, 2024), organized by the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam.
On this occasion, President Vo Van Thuong sent a congratulatory message to Emperor Naruhito, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue sent a congratulatory message to Speaker of the House of Representatives Nukaga Fukishiro and Speaker of the House of Councillors Otsuji Hidehisa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son assessed that Vietnam and Japan have gone through an emotional year of 2023 together, marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan with the participation of about 150 high-level delegations and leaderships of ministries, branches, and localities of both countries and more than 500 commemorative activities in both countries.
2023 is also a turning point, opening a new chapter in the comprehensive friendly cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, with the unanimous decision of the high-ranking leaders of the two countries to upgrade bilateral relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partner for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World”.
“It can be said that the Vietnam-Japan relationship is a typical pair of successful bilateral cooperation for Vietnam with partners,” said Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Japan maintains its position as Vietnam’s leading important partner when it is the largest ODA partner, the second-largest labor cooperation partner, the third-largest investment and tourism partner, and the fourth largest trading partner.
The Vietnam-Japan relationship is a typical pair of successful bilateral cooperation for Vietnam with partners – Photo: VGP/Hai Minh
Cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, culture, people-to-people exchange… is being promoted vigorously and actively. Local cooperation is a highlight in the relationship between the two countries with more than 100 localities having cooperative agreements.
The Vietnamese community of about 520,000 people in Japan is the second-largest foreign community in Japan, and more than 2,500 Japanese enterprises in Vietnam are actively contributing to the substantial and comprehensive development of the relationship between the two countries.
According to Minister Bui Thanh Son, at international and regional forums such as the United Nations, regional cooperation mechanisms such as APEC, ASEM, as well as cooperation mechanisms of ASEAN, Vietnam and Japan have closely cooperated and actively coordinated on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
With a foundation of political trust, cultural similarity, and a sense of history built and nurtured over more than 1,300 years since the 8th century, more than half a century of cooperation and development, the friendly and cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan has been “hand in hand”, entering a new chapter of the bilateral relationship with “limitless” development potential,” said Minister Bui Thanh Son.
On the basis of the new cooperation framework, with the spirit of ensuring the equal interests of both sides, Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the leaders and people of both countries are determined to further develop the substantive relationship between the two countries in traditional fields such as economy, politics, culture, education and training, labor, people-to-people exchange, local cooperation….
At the same time, the two sides are expanding into important new fields, in line with the trends of the times such as emissions reduction, semiconductors, clean energy, digital transformation, green transformation…, further enhancing cooperation in regional and international issues, at forums, international organizations, and cooperative mechanisms that both countries are members of.
The strong and continuous development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship is becoming a bright spot in international relations, especially in the context of the world and the region facing many rapid and complex fundamental changes.
Minister Bui Thanh Son believes that the “fate-defeating relationship” between the two countries, the Vietnamese and Japanese people will continue to overcome all challenges, seize opportunities, take further steps on the new, solid, cohesive and effective development path, meeting the aspirations and interests of the people of both countries, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
Delegates attending the ceremony – Photo: VGP/Hai Minh
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio believes that the close development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship today is not only for economic and political interests but also based on “understanding and empathy” between the two countries formed by cultural and historical exchanges from ancient times.
The ambassador expressed his belief that the development of even closer ties between the people of the two countries would be a solid foundation for promoting the breakthrough development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship in the time to come.
In terms of the economy, the ambassador believes that in the context of global supply chain shifting, scientific innovations such as digital transformation, green transformation… becoming stronger, the Vietnam-Japan partner relationship will become increasingly important.
According to the latest survey results by JETRO, Vietnam is the second-largest investment destination attracting Japanese enterprises’ attention in the world after the United States. Moreover, nearly 60% of Japanese enterprises have the intention to expand investment in Vietnam.
Last December, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the economic sector as an important driving force for further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.
On ODA, the two Prime Ministers affirmed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation to revitalize Japanese ODA and promote large-scale and high-quality infrastructure development projects in Vietnam.
Regarding labor cooperation, the ambassador said that Vietnam accounts for about a quarter of the total number of foreign workers working in Japan and plays a very important role in the development of the economy of both countries./.
