Vietnam-Japan friendly relations have been consolidated over years of successes and are expected to grow and flourish in the time to come. Their relationship dates back to trade exchanges in the early years of the 16th century. Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1973, Japan and Vietnam have formed a strategic partnership and worked hand in hand in various fields such as economics, culture, education, and science and technology. To mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1973–2013), a VOV reporter has interviewed Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh about the close-knit relationship. Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh Reporter: Could you please discuss the development of Vietnam-Japan relations over the past 40 years? Mr Minh: Forty years after the establishment of diplomatic ties in September 1973, the importance of Vietnam’s and Japan’s partnership is clearly evident in politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, investment, development aid, human resources development, science-technology, culture, and people-to-people exchange. Their reliable political friendliness and cooperation were formalised in the strategic partnership created in 2009. Regular visit exchanges and senior leadership meetings has helped enhance political trust and the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation, especially via the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee. The two sides coordinate their stances at regional and international forums and organizations such as the UN, ASEAN, APEC, and Mekong-Japan Cooperation. Japan has become Vietnam’s most important economic partner. The country is currently its biggest investor in terms of registered and disbursed capital with 1990 valid projects capitalised at US$32.667 billion, primarily focused on the processing and manufacturing industries. Japan is also Vietnam’s most generous ODA provider. Since it resumed distributing ODA in 1992, it has provided Vietnam with US$21 billion in ODA, 30 percent of the total pledged by the international community. Japan is Vietnam’s third biggest bilateral trade partner. Import-export turnover hit US$24.7 billion in 2012, with US$13.1 billion from Vietnamese exports like crude oil, garments and textiles, transport vehicles, and spare parts, and US$11.6 billion from imports such as machinery, equipment, computers, electronic products and components, and iron and steel. A series of agreements and cooperation documents, including the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA), have opened up legal pathways for increasing economic cooperation. Vietnam welcomed more than 500,000 Japanese visitors last year. There are also more than 20,000 Vietnamese postgraduates and students studying and working in Japan. I think that Vietnam-Japan relations continue to improve as both nations regard mutual trust and all-round cooperation as valuable assets. Their strategic partnership has only made cooperation even more effective, delivering benefits to both nations’ citizens and promoting peace, stability, prosperity, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. Reporter: How have both nations’ peoples contributed to diplomatic success? Mr Minh: Japanese merchants first landed in the northern region’s Pho Hien and the central region’s Hoi An more than 400 years ago. People-to-people exchanges have always been integral to the two countries’ relationship. Modern air routes connecting major cities makes these exchanges even easier. Japanese friends express their love for traditional Vietnamese culture and cuisine, while Vietnamese people—especially younger generations—are eager to experience the Japanese cultural legacies of cherry blossom contemplation and tea ceremonies. These exchanges deepen mutual understanding. The friendship between the two peoples was demonstrated by Vietnam’s heart-felt support for the Japanese victims of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Alongside official cooperation channels, people-to-people diplomacy has strengthened the long-term sustainability of the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership, guaranteeing it vigorous growth into the future. Reporter: Can you elaborate on the prospects created by the relationship’s past achievements? Mr Minh: The tireless efforts of the two countries’ governments and peoples has secured the future of the relationship. Japan and Vietnam recognise their ability to complement each other’s strengths for common development. The two nations’ leaders have agreed to work together on various important projects like Vietnam’s industrialisation strategy. They are also well on the way to doubling two-way trade over the next 10 years, a target set in their 2011 joint declaration. The next stage of their venerable 40-year relationship is sure to include a wide range of even more impressive achievements. . Reporter: Thank you very much. VOV