Vietnam-Japan ties a model of win-win partnership: Diplomat

• Vietnam-Japan relations reach all time high under Abe Zhinzo leadership
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam (Photo: VNA)

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.

He made the statement in an exclusive interview with Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in Tokyo ahead of the visit to Vietnam by Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, which is being made at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Slated for October 18-20, the visit will mark the second time Vietnam has been selected by a new Japanese PM as their first overseas destination upon taking office.

According to Ambassador Nam, PM Suga’s decision to visit Vietnam and Indonesia during his first overseas trip expresses Japan’s regard for the Southeast Asian region.

The PM’s policies towards Vietnam will be a continuation of Japanese policies over the years, especially under PM Abe Shinzo’s administration. Nearly 50 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, Vietnam and Japan have become trustworthy partners in an extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia. Japan has made important contributions to Vietnam’s economic growth and vice-versa, the diplomat said.

He noted that relations have expanded strongly over the last decade and more, especially during the administration of PM Abe. All indicators on bilateral cooperation rose strongly, especially in the fields of investment, trade, and people-to-people exchange.

Some 500,000 Vietnamese people are now living in Japan, making it the largest foreign community in the country.

Japanese investors, meanwhile, consider Vietnam an attractive, reliable, and safe investment destination. Japan now stands as Vietnam’s second-largest investor, with committed investment of over 60 billion USD.

The ambassador expressed his belief that with Japan’s policy of diversifying supply chains, more Japanese investors will come to Vietnam.

Regarding the major agenda items at the upcoming meeting between the Vietnamese and Japanese PMs, Ambassador Nam said they will discuss a wide range of issues relating to bilateral ties, including measures to continue reinforcing and developing bilateral economic ties.

At the same time, amid emerging challenges in Asia and Southeast Asia in particular, they will exchange viewpoints on security and political matters as well as diplomatic and cooperative relations in the world.

They will also discuss cooperation in COVID-19 prevention and control, especially the re-opening of the border and commercial flights between the two countries, to maintain and expand bilateral trade, economic exchange, and people-to-people contacts.

The ambassador said he expects the Japanese PM’s visit will be fruitful, creating an important milestone in political-diplomatic relations between the two countries.