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The Vietnamese official spoke highly of the close coordination of the Japanese Ministry of Defence and the SPF with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence in implementing the exchange program between Vietnamese and Japanese field-grade officers over the past seven years, saying that the activity has contributed to strengthening the friendship, cooperation, mutual understanding, and trust between officers of the ministries, the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) and the Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) in particular, and between the two peoples in general.

Nam highly valued the principles and objectives of the SPF, especially its contributions to sustainable social development; active support for countries in the region, including Vietnam, in fostering international connection, exchange, and cooperation; and assistance in building schools for children in remote and ethnic minority areas, as well as providing prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs for people with disabilities.

Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Hoai Nam (R) receives Major General Aoi Kei from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in Hanoi on November 4. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening exchanges and cooperation between organizations and associations, considering this an effective channel of cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples, he stressed, expressing his hope that the SPF will continue to foster cooperation and support Vietnam in terms of education, health care, environment, and human resources training, particularly in humanitarian activities such as assisting people with disabilities, war veterans, and victims of Agent Orange.

Defense cooperation between the two sides has been promoted in many areas, achieving significant progress, Nam said, adding that they proactively support each other at multilateral defense forums, especially within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus.

With diverse activities, the exchange program between Vietnamese and Japanese field-grade officers, initiated and supported by the SPF, has helped officers from both countries gain a better understanding of the culture of the two countries, creating favorable conditions for cooperative activities, Nam said.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese ministry supports and will continue to facilitate the effective implementation of the program.

Major General Aoi Kei from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), who led the delegation, said he hopes the cooperative relationship between the two sides will be increasingly strengthened, especially in the fields of defense and security.

He expressed his belief that this year’s exchange program will contribute to strengthening the solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between officers and soldiers of the two ministries, and between the VPA and the JSDF.

According to the Deputy Minister, Vietnam–Japan defense cooperation has seen significant advancements in various areas, including human resource training, capacity-building, and post-war recovery. The two sides maintain regular visit exchanges and support each other at multilateral defense forums, especially within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

The Vietnam-Japan officer exchange program, proposed and supported by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, has contributed to bilateral defense relations over recent years. To date, seven Vietnamese delegations have visited Japan, and six Japanese delegations have visited Vietnam. These exchanges, featuring diverse activities, have fostered mutual understanding and facilitated cooperative efforts between officers from both countries.

The Ministry of Defense of Vietnam supports and will continue to facilitate the program’s successful execution, he affirmed.

At the meeting, Major General Aoi Kei expressed a desire for enhanced cooperation between the two sides, especially in defense and security, hoping that the exchange program would further enhance solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between officers from both Ministries of Defense and between the Vietnam People’s Army and the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

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