Foreign Minister pays official visit to Japan

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Japanese counterpart Kamikawa Yoko co-chaired the 12th meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee, and held talks on August 7, as part of the Vietnamese minister's official visit to Japan from August 7-10.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L) shakes hands with his Japanese counterpart Kamikawa Yoko

At the meeting, Kamikawa expressed her deepest condolences over the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and her hope that the two sides will continue the legacy of the late leader to further promote the bilateral friendship and cooperation in all areas.

In a spirit of friendship, sincerity, and trust, the two sides reviewed the results achieved since the 11th meeting, and discussed measures to concretise the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World established in 2023.

They highly valued the resumption of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee mechanism after a 5-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing political trust and the strong developments in the bilateral relations across areas.

The officials agreed to further intensify the economic connection by increasing the official development assistance (ODA), and promoting investment, trade, and labour cooperation.

FM Son suggested Japan continue its new-generation ODA with high concessional terms, and simplified and more flexible procedures for Vietnam in areas such as digital transformation, green transition, climate change response, health care, and large-scale and key infrastructure projects.

Kamikawa affirmed Japan’s wish to support Vietnam in building an independent and self-reliant economy, achieving the goals of industrialisation and modernisation and becoming a developed country by 2045.

She highly valued Vietnam’s efforts in recent years to reform and modernise administrative procedures, improve the investment environment, noting that Japanese businesses are interested in and view Vietnam as an attractive investment destination for diversifying their supply chains.

The two sides affirmed their commitment to maintaining their close coordination in effectively implementing the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative in the new era, aiming to ensure that Japanese investors in Vietnam operate effectively and sustainably; achieve stable and sustainable growth in bilateral trade; and promote market access for fruits from both countries.

They agreed to expand comprehensive cooperation into new areas, including digital transformation, innovation, information technology, and digital society through practical and specific initiatives and projects.

Kamikawa emphasised Japan's wish to collaborate with Vietnam in co-creation for sustainable development, emission reduction, and environmental protection through initiatives such as the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC).

They agreed to strengthen cooperation in human resources training and addressing population aging, and begin negotiations for a bilateral social insurance agreement.

FM Son suggested Japan enhance cooperation in training human resources in key industries, and others like semiconductors and artificial intelligence. He also asked Japan to continue simplifying entry procedures, towards visa-free entry for Vietnamese citizens. Additionally, the minister called on Japan to accelerate the establishment of departments of the Vietnamese language and Vietnamese studies at Japanese universities in the context of the increasing number of Vietnamese in the country.

For her part, Kamikawa said Japan's new labour law, issued in June 2024, offers more incentives to foreign workers, including those from Vietnam. She affirmed that the Japanese government will continue creating a more favourable and attractive environment for Vietnamese workers.

She also affirmed Japan's commitment to enhancing cooperation in training young workforce with Vietnam within the framework of the Networked Exchange, United Strength for Stronger Partnerships between Japan and ASEAN.

After the meeting, the two sides issued a joint press release.

In their talks after the meeting, the officials agreed to strengthen political trust through regular high-level visits and exchanges between the leaders of the two countries; further enhance the role of dialogue mechanisms; and promote substantive cooperation in defence and security.

The Vietnamese official asked for Japan's support for ASEAN's solidarity and centrality, urging the country to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN and the Mekong subregion.

Kamikawa affirmed Vietnam is an important partner in Japan's foreign policy in the region, stressing that Japan will support Vietnam in participating effectively and successfully in the EXPO 2025 in Osaka.

The two ministers also discussed international and regional issues of common concern, such as ASEAN cooperation, the Mekong region, and the East Sea, and agreed to enhance coordination and exchange perceptions at international and regional forums, including ASEAN, the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Son took the occasion to invite Japanese leaders to attend the 4th Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit and the ASEAN Future Forum in Vietnam in 2025.

On the same day, Son met with Chief Representative of the Komeito Party Yamaguchi Natsuo; the representative of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance (JVPFA), and head of the Liberal Democratic Party's Election Strategy Committee Obuchi Yuko.

In the meeting with Yamaguchi, Son suggested Yamaguchi and other Party members support and promote cooperation and exchanges between the Komeito Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam; and support joint efforts to deepen the bilateral economic ties through increased ODA, and the enhanced investment and trade ties.

Yamaguchi affirmed the support and cooperation of the Komeito Party to further deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, and boost cooperation in regional and international forums. He also noted commitment to supporting Vietnamese workers in effectively participating in Japan's new “training-work” system.

Meeting with Obuchi, Son asked for support from the alliance, and suggested promoting delegation exchanges, enhancing economic cooperation, and expanding collaboration in new areas.

Obuchi affirmed her commitment to continue supporting the promotion of exchanges among female and young legislators; and strengthened cooperation between Japan and Vietnam in the areas with great potential, such as labour, agriculture, science and technology, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.

She conveyed an invitation from JVPFA Chairman Nikai Toshihiro to Party General Secretary and President To Lam to visit Japan as soon as possible. /.

VNA