Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio (left) and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: VGP

Vietnamese Ambassador Vu Hong Nam told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that the official visit is significance as it marked a milestone in the relationship and affirmed the resolve of the two countries’ leaders to open up a new page of the “Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia” between Vietnam and Japan.

During the visit, Kishida had meetings with Vietnamese key leaders, including Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Their good personal sentiments are likely to create a firm foundation for the long-term development of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and peoples, Nam said.

Economic cooperation was the main focus of the talks between the leaders, he said, adding that a total of 23 important documents were reached during the visit, covering economy-trade, science-technology, transportation, digital transformation and innovation.

The two sides laid an emphasis on priority cooperation spheres – the diversification of sources of supply, digital transformation and technological renovation. The Japanese government pledged to support 39 firms operating in these fields.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Photo: VGP

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese side was interested in new-generation official development assistance (ODA) with high incentives and streamlined, flexible procedures in strategic infrastructure in transport, climate change response, digital transformation, and health care.

In their meetings, both Vietnamese and Japanese leaders affirmed the significance of 2023 as the year marks the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, and agreed to establish national organising committees in charge of holding major celebration events.

Regarding political security, they consented to continue their close coordination at regional and international forums like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the United Nations and the Mekong-Japan cooperation.

They will work together with other members to implement and expand the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and effectively realise the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The sides touched upon their common views on the settlement of disputes and differences by peaceful measures, including the respect for diplomatic and legal processes, and in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts a reception for Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. Photo: Nhan dan

They also highlighted the comprehensive, full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), soon reaching an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in line with international law.

The leaders were resolved to soon bring Vietnamese longan to Japan, paving waves for other fruits such as grape, grapefruit, avocado and rambutan to access the market.

Nam suggested Vietnamese businesses pay heed to longan quality, sterilisation and post-harvest preservation and make plans to put the fruit on Japanese supermarket shelves next September.

Vietnam should pay more attention to high-tech agriculture and enhance production cooperation chains to churn out agricultural products that satisfy Japan’s requirements, he noted.

The ambassador held that the Vietnamese and Japanese economies have become increasingly reciprocal, and the number of Japanese firms in Vietnam is expected to rise in the time ahead.

To promote the bilateral ties, Nam stressed the need for the two countries to step up the communication work to educate their young generations about the heartfelt and trustworthy relationship.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Photo: VNA

Japanese Ambassador Yamada Takio also told the press that the relationship between Vietnam and Japan has made firm strides towards the opening of a new period, and is expected to grow further in the future.

The two countries have reaped considerable achievements across spheres since the trip to Japan by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in November 2021, despite impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said, as cited by Viet Nam News.

Japan will enhance comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, covering policy, technology and finance, with the waste-to-energy plant project in Vietnam’s northern province of Bac Ninh as an example.

Under the Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM), the Japanese Government will provide financial aid for Vietnam to purchase equipment using Japanese technologies, and further contribute to the circular economy in the country.

Up to 40 JCM projects have been approved in Vietnam so far, the ambassador pointed out, stressing that Japan will foster this kind of cooperation in the time ahead.

Despite limited investments globally due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Japanese investors are still interested in Vietnam. Photo: VNA

Motoyoshi Ryokichi, former general secretary of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association, also shared the view that Vietnam and Japan are witnessing robust growth in ties.

Motoyoshi emphasised that tremendous room is available for cooperation between the two countries, especially in economy, trade and human resource cooperation.

He said he believes that, when the Japanese Government completely lift entry restriction measures, the number of Vietnamese trainees would increase even more.

Matsuda Hidekazu, Director of the Japanese-based company GoWell, which supplies Asian workers for local businesses, said since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, the number of Vietnamese people seeking advice from his company has increased dramatically, reaching nearly 1,900.

GoWell tries to offer the best support possible for foreign students, including those from Vietnam, to find good employment./.

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