Japanese Prime Miniter Kishida (right) and his host PM Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: Kyodo

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s official visit to Vietnam on April 30 - May 1 has made the headlines of the media in Japan.

Kyodo News cited PM Kishida as saying following the talks with his host PM Pham Minh Chinh on May 1 that Vietnam is an "important partner" in realising Japan's vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Bilaterally, the PMs agreed to enhance cooperation in Vietnam's maritime security and on Japan's Self-Defense Forces, thus helping the Southeast Asian country strengthen cybersecurity skills.

They also decided to set up a website for Vietnamese people seeking to train in Japan under the country's technical internship programme and allow them to directly access information on job offers and the sending organisations.

Japan committed to providing JPY19 billion (USD146 million) for Vietnam to improve the Southeast Asian nation’s disaster management capabilities by launching observation satellites, according to Kyodo.

The news agency reported that the two PMs affirmed respect for the sovereignty of states.

Japanese Prime Miniter Kishida (right) and his host PM Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: Kyodo

"We confirmed that countries must abide by the principle of respecting the independence and the sovereignty of states," Kishida said. "In any region, changing the status quo by force is intolerable."

The two agreed to strongly oppose attempts to change the status quo in the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea).

Kyodo also quoted PM Chinh as speaking at the press conference that they are committed to strengthening ties for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

In an article titled “Japan to Work with Vietnam to Diversify Supply Chains”, Jiji Press said PM Kishida on May 1 unveiled the idea that Japan and Vietnam will work closely to strengthen supply chains through diversification.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of diversified supply chains, Kishida said in a seminar on the bilateral cooperation at the Vietnamese PM’s Office in Hanoi, noting Japan will provide assistance to supporting industries, which mainly make parts and other intermediate goods, in Vietnam so that Japanese companies doing business in the country can operate without a hitch.

Kishida told his Vietnamese counterpart that Japan will help Vietnam improve its military's cyber capabilities, Jiji Press wrote in another story, adding the two leaders also agreed to continue cooperation to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, NHK reported that during the talks in Hanoi, the two PMs agreed to foster cooperation in investment, trade, energy, and the environment.

Japan will assist Vietnam to further engage in global supply chains and accelerate digital transformation. It will also increase receiving Vietnamese interns and students and help the Vietnamese community in the country.

At the talks, they also looked into regional and international issues of shared concern, voicing their opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in any region, according NHK.

While in Vietnam, Kishida also paid courtesy visits to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and had a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

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

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong highlighted the great potential for bilateral cooperation. He welcomed the two countries’ building of plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship in 2023 so as to create durable foundation for the substantial, effective and practical ties in the future.

Meanwhile, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Japan is a reliable partner of top importance of Vietnam, and among the top priorities in the Southeast Asian’s external policy.

At his meeting with NA Chairman Hue, Kishida said he has been a member of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance for more than 20 years, and so always values the exchange between the two parliaments. He asked top legislator to continue contributing to bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially between the two law making bodies.

Following their talks, PMs Kishida and Chinh witnessed the exchange of 22 cooperative documents between ministries, agencies, localities and enterprises of the two countries./.

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