Organized by the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, the celebration ceremony of the 64th birthday anniversary of Japanese Emperor Naruhito (February 23, 1960 - February 23, 2024) was held on the evening of February 23, in Hanoi. Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son attended the ceremony.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio at a meeting (Photo: VGP/Hai Minh).

On this occasion, several Vietnamese diplomats sent kind letters to their Japanese colleagues. State President Vo Van Thuong sent a telegram of congratulations to King Naruhito, whereas Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a telegram of congratulations to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue sent a letter of congratulations to Nukaga Fukushiro on his election as Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son assessed that Vietnam and Japan commemorated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in the emotional year of 2023. The occasion was celebrated with the exchange of about 150 delegations of high-level leaders and leaders of ministries, branches, and localities at all levels between the two countries as well as more than 500 large-scale and meaningful commemorative activities in both countries.

He stressed that the year 2023 is also pivotal. It opened a new chapter in the Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation with the two countries' top leaders agreeing to upgrade bilateral relations to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World."

"Vietnam-Japan cooperation is a typical example of Vietnam's success in establishing bilateral relations with international partners," Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (left) and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio (right) at the ceremony (Photo: VGP/Hai Minh)

He continued that Japan is currently Vietnam's most important partner as the largest ODA aid partner, the second largest partner in labor cooperation, the third in investment and tourism, and the fourth in commercial trade. At the same time, the operations between the two countries in the fields of education-training, culture, people-to-people exchange... are strongly and actively promoted. The cooperation agreements between localities are a bright spot in the two countries' relationship with more than 100 pairs.

The community of about 520,000 Vietnamese people living in Japan is this country's second-largest foreign community. On the other hand, there are more than 2,500 Japanese businesses in Vietnam actively contributing to the development of substantive and comprehensive relations between the two countries.

According to Minister Bui Thanh Son, at international and regional forums such as the United Nations, regional cooperation mechanisms such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), as well as cooperation mechanisms of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam and Japan cooperate closely and actively on international and regional issues of common concern.

"With a foundation of political trust, cultural similarity, and historical cohesion built and nurtured for more than 1,300 years from the 8th century, and more than half a century of cooperation and mutual development, the Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation "hand in hand" enters a new chapter of the two countries' relationship with "limitless" development potential," Minister Bui Thanh Son said.

On the basis of the new cooperation framework, with the spirit of ensuring equal benefits for both sides, Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the leaders and people of the two countries are determined to develop stronger and more substantive relations between the two countries in traditional fields such as economics, politics, culture, education-training, labor, people-to-people exchanges, and local cooperation.

At the same time, there are new important fields of cooperation to expand in line with the current global trends such as emission reduction, semiconductors, clean energy, digital transformation, and green transformation. The two sides will further strengthen cooperation on regional and international issues, at international forums, organizations, and cooperation mechanisms of which both are members.

Son believed that the continuous strong development of Vietnam-Japan relations is becoming a bright spot in international relations, especially in the complex global context.

Minister Bui Thanh Son believes that the "destined" relationship between the two countries and peoples of Vietnam and Japan will continue to overcome all challenges to seize new opportunities and move forward on a new, more firm, cohesive, and effective path of development. The development will meet the aspirations and interests of the two peoples and contribute to build peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

Delegates attending the ceremony on February 23 in Hanoi (Photo: VGP/Hai Minh).

In his remarks, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio said that the current close development of Vietnam-Japan relations is not only for economic and political benefits but also based on "understanding and sympathy" between the two countries. The connection was formed by cultural and historical exchanges since ancient times.

Takio said that strengthening the people-to-people ties is a solid stepping stone to promote the breakthrough development of the two countries' relationship in the coming time.

Regarding the economic field, the Ambassador said that in the context of shifting global supply chains, scientific innovations such as digital transformation, and green transformation are becoming stronger. Strengthening the Vietnam-Japan partnership will become increasingly important.

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) announced in its latest survey results that Vietnam is currently the second most attractive investment destination for Japanese businesses, after the United States. Furthermore, nearly 60% of all Japanese businesses intend to expand investment in Vietnam.

In December 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio agreed that strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the economic sector is an important and indispensable driving force to further deepen bilateral relations of comprehensive strategic cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

Regarding Japan's official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, the two Prime Ministers affirmed that they will further strengthen bilateral cooperation to promote large-scale, high-quality infrastructure development projects in the Southeast Asian country.

Regarding labor cooperation, the Ambassador highlighted that Vietnam accounts for about one fourth of the total number of foreign workers working in Japan, playing a huge role in the development of the two countries' economies.

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