Party General Secretary and State President To Lam held online talks with President of the Liberal Democratic Party and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio on September 3.

The elevation of the Vietnam-Japan relationship to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World” serves as an impulse for the bilateral relations to grow further in the time ahead.

President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse met with Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on November 28, as part of his ongoing official visit to Japan.

The Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group held its fourth meeting in Hanoi on November 20.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held a reception for President of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) Izumi Kenta in Hanoi on August 31 on the occasion of Izumi’s visit to Vietnam from August 29-31.

Similarities in culture, historical linkage, and the friendly sentiments that people of Vietnam and Japan give each other as well as many shared interests have closely connected the two nations, stated Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang at a ceremony held by the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam on February 23 to celebrate the 63rd birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito.

The Vietnam-Japan relationship has been on the rise. Japan is Vietnam's leading official development assistance provider, third largest investor, third biggest source of tourists, and fourth trade partner of the Southeast Asian nation.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh had meetings with the Governors of Kanagawa Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture, Yuji Kuroiwa and Ichita Yamamoto, respectively on May 25 as part of his ongoing trip to Japan.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had an informal meeting with his Japanese counterpart immediately after Prime Minister Kishida Fumio arrived in Hanoi for an official visit on April 30 evening.

The Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association (VJFA) of Vinh Long province plans to increase activities to further develop bilateral ties and popularise the solidarity and friendship between the two countries, heard the association's second congress on March 31.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a dialogue with Japanese investors on November 24, during which the Vietnamese government leader affirmed that the Vietnam-Japan relationship has never been as good as it is now, and will even grow better in the future.

The Vietnam-Japan relationship has become a model of friendship and win-win partnerships, creating a foundation for cooperation in ensuring stability and peace in Southeast Asia and beyond, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam has said.

The central province of Nghe An on April 26 held a conference to seek closer cooperation between the locality and Japanese investors.

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh has proposed that Japan and Kanagawa prefecture create favourable conditions for Japanese and Vietnamese businesses to strengthen investment partnership and implement economic and cooperation activities in other fields, especially creative industry, agriculture, education and training.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Toshihiro Nikai, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance and Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, and the alliance’s members in Tokyo on October 8.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang hosted a reception in Tokyo on June 1 for Keiji Furuya, Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Japanese House of Representatives.

Vietnam plays an important role in the political and economic relations with Japan, so the two sides should further promote reciprocal economic links and people-to-people exchange, a Japanese expert has said.

Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Japan Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Shinzo Abe have reaffirmed their determination to foster the Vietnam-Japan relationship in a comprehensive and extensive manner in a joint statement.

Vietnam attaches importance to its strategic partnership with Japan and considers Japan as a leading and long-term partner, said President Tran Dai Quang.

NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and visiting Vice President Koshiishi Azuma of Japan's House of Councillors have shared their contentment toward the growing Vietnam-Japan ties.