Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada  Takio sees off Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at Noi Bai airport, December 15, 2023. (Photo: Duong Giang/ VNA)

The Summit marks the 50th anniversary of cooperative relations between ASEAN and Japan. During that time Vietnam has made important contributions to ASEAN-Japan relations, based on Vietnam’s good relationship with Japan.

Vietnam’s important role in ASEAN-Japan relations

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio said Japan considers Vietnam a very important country in ASEAN, which plays a central role in promoting regional cooperation and shaping regional dynamics.

Cited a survey conducted earlier this year by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), he said the percentage of Japanese companies willing to expand investment in Vietnam is the highest among ASEAN countries.

Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN, Kiya Masahiko, said Vietnam-Japan cooperation plays an important role in ASEAN-Japan relations and maintaining a positive cooperation space in the Indo-Pacific region. 

“Vietnam is one of the key countries in ASEAN. Its position links the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. So maintaining security, safety of passage, and freedom of navigation there is very important. For Japan, Vietnam is very important partner not only for security, but also for economy and business. In all aspects, our relationship is growing for the benefit of not only the two countries, but also the Pacific region and beyond," said Mr. Masahiko.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu said that when Japan proposed to organize the Summit and establish the ASEAN-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership this year, Vietnam supported and actively contributed to the organizational roadmap that ASEAN and Japan set at the beginning of the year.

One of Vietnam's strongest contributions to ASEAN-Japan relations in recent years was acting as coordinator of ASEAN-Japan relations in the 2018-2021 term, a time of unprecedented difficulties and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam's coordination brought real benefits to both sides, with Japan contributing 50 million USD to the establishment in 2020 of the ASEAN Center for Responding to Emergency Health Situations and Emerging Diseases. Vietnam assumed the rotating Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2020.

Promoting Vietnam-Japan cooperation in a new framework

In addition to promoting ASEAN-Japan relations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's trip to Japan marks a new milestone in Vietnam-Japan relations. It takes place less than a month after the two countries elevated their relationship to "Comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world", on the occasion of President Vo Van Thuong’s visit to Japan.

Ambassador Hieu said Prime Minister Chinh's ongoing trip is expected to create stronger momentum to help the two countries soon realize new strategic cooperation priorities.

“Prime Minister Chinh’s visit to Japan and attending the ASEAN-Japan Summit will contribute to the Summit’s success and accelerate Vietnam-Japan relations in the framework of the new comprehensive strategic partnership.The visit is expected to create stronger momentum for both countries in economics, trade, investment, and labor and broaden bilateral relations for effective and practical results,” said Mr. Hieu.

According to Ambassador Takio, during Prime Minister Chinh’s visit, the two countries will hold the first Prime Minister-level talks since upgrading the relationship to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in all fields.

Ambassador Takio said the new partnership covers all areas of cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, including trade, investment, innovation, the Asian Net Zero Emissions Community (AZEC), national security and defense, alignment in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, people-to-people exchanges, cultural exchanges, and coordination at regional and global forums.

He said Vietnam-Japan relations have developed strongly and contributed to regional and global peace and prosperity.