Japan prioritises strengthening ties with Vietnam, says ambassador
Cooperation in international forums will be one of the key topics during Prime Minister Ishiba’s visit to Vietnam, says Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related summits in Vientiane, Laos, on October 11, 2024. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Strengthening ties with Vietnam—a dynamic economy of over 100 million people—is one of Japan’s top foreign policy priorities, Japanese Ambassador𝔍 to Vietnam Ito Naoki has affirmed.
Speaking to the press ahead of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s official visit to Vietnam from April 27 to 29, the ambassador said the trip is expected to foster the Japanese leaders’ personal relations with their Vietnamese counterparts.
Vietnam is entering an era – that of the nation’s rise and Japan believes that it’s time to further expand the cooperative relationship between the two countries within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.
He noted that cooperation between Japan and Vietnam is structured around three main pillars: economic, trade, and investment collaboration; security cooperation; and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Three pillars of collaboration
As Vietnam strives to become a developed nation by 2045, the ambassador emphasised that cooperation with Japan will play a crucial role in achieving this goal. He added that Japan aims to deepen its partnership with Vietnam in emerging priority areas such as digital transformation, green transition, innovation, and science and technology, in line with the Southeast Asian nation’s growing development demand.
In the energy sector, cooperation is being advanced under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, proposed by Japan. The two countries have agreed to implement 15 Japanese investment projects in renewable energy, including offshore wind and solar power generation, with a total investment of up to 20 billion USD.
The two sides are also working together to develop a highly skilled workforce, particularly in sectors like semiconductors. Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is promoting the NEXUS programme, which includes joint semiconductor research between Japan and Vietnam and training for young professionals. Additionally, the Vietnam–Japan University — a joint initiative of both countries — is preparing to launch a specialised training course in semiconductor skills this autumn.
In terms of security, Japanese Defence Minister Kihara Minoru has visited Vietnam and in April, the Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Suzunami docked at Da Nang Port and conducted joint drills with the Vietnam People’s Navy.
Technological cooperation in defence equipment has also made steady progress over the past two years. In 2023, Japan transferred anti-corrosion pre-treatment processing technology to the Vietnamese military. In 2024, it handed over two decommissioned material transport vehicles.
Regarding people-to-people and cultural exchanges, there are currently around 630,000 Vietnamese residing in Japan. Each year, approximately 620,000 Vietnamese tourists visit Japan, while 710,000 Japanese tourists travel to Vietnam.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Ambassador Ito affirmed that Japan will continue its efforts to remain a preferred destination for young Vietnamese seeking employment. The Japanese government has launched the "Employment for Skill Development Programme," and Japanese businesses are also striving to further improve working conditions for Vietnamese workers.
Vietnamese workers are expected to continue coming to Japan to work and acquire skills, then return home to contribute to Vietnam’s economy and businesses. This cycle of human resource development, he noted, is a vital aspect of the bilateral relationship.
Currently, around 170,000 Vietnamese are studying Japanese. While this is a significant number, the two countries aim to increase it further—particularly the number of advanced-level Japanese language learners. On the occasion of Prime Minister Ishiba’s visit, the Japanese Embassy is working closely with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training to develop a framework to grow this number in the medium and long term.
Vietnam and Japan are also working closely together to address shared global challenges. The ambassador noted that this cooperation is becoming increasingly important, especially as the global situation continues to evolve in an unpredictable fashion.
According to Ambassador Ito, Vietnam is pursuing a more proactive foreign policy in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and ASEAN, and Japan hopes to strengthen alignment and cooperation to support Vietnam’s strategic orientation.
This year, Japan and Vietnam will co-chair the Japan-Mekong Cooperation Framework, with both sides committed to pursuing practical outcomes. The ambassador added that cooperation in international forums will be one of the key topics during Prime Minister Ishiba’s visit to Vietnam./.
After thorough consideration, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru decided to choose Vietnam as his first destination, as the Southeast Asian is a very important partner of Japan.
Under the MoU, the two parties will work together to develop a value chain for Vietnamese oysters that meets Japanese standards, targeting both domestic and export markets.
The presence of many alliance members from different parties in the Japanese parliament demonstrates the country’s deep respect for and dedication to enhancing ties with Vietnam, said Chairwoman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Obuchi Yuko.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
