Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. Photo: REUTERS

Good bilateral relations

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973, the relationship between Vietnam and Japan has been flourishing. In April 2002 during the official visit to Vietnam by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the two countries established the framework for a reliable, stable and long-term partnership. In April 2009, Vietnam and Japan agreed to build on this strategic partnership framework. In March 2014, on the occasion of President Truong Tan Sang's official visit to Japan, it was decided to upgrade ties to the “Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia.” In September 2015, during the official visit to Japan by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the two countries adopted a Joint Vision Statement, which praised their "comprehensive and substantive development of the comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio welcomes Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Japan, November 2021. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Recently, despite regional and global turbulence, senior leaders of Vietnam and Japan have continued to maintain regular visits and contacts at international and regional forums, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last November, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid an official visit to Japan, the first high-ranking foreign leader to visit Japan since Prime Minister Kishida Fumio took office, demonstrating that Japan, one of Vietnam's leading partners, is important to Vietnam in many ways.

During this visit, the two countries adopted a Joint Statement "Towards opening a new phase of the Vietnam-Japan Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia." This is an important foundation and driving force for both to continue elevating their relations to new heights.

Their cooperation has been strengthened in defense, security, investment, trade, ODA, health care, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, education and training, and climate change response. Japan has become the leading economic partner, the largest ODA donor, the third largest tourism partner, and the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam. In 2021, the two countries' trade turnover reached nearly 43 billion USD, a sharp increase of 7.8% compared to 2020. Japan is also one of the largest investment partners in Vietnam with a total registered investment capital of more than 42 billion USD.

Driving force to promote partnership

Like his predecessors, Prime Minister Kishida has good personal relationships with many high-ranking Vietnamese leaders, as he had for many years served as Secretary General of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance. Before this visit, Mr. Kishida visited Vietnam three times in 2014, 2016 and 2018 while serving in important positions in the Government of Japan, showing how Vietnam is important to Prime Minister Kishida personally and to his Government as well.

For Vietnam, welcoming the Japanese Prime Minister is part of its foreign policy of independence, and self-reliance, seeking peace, friendship, cooperation and development as defined by 13th National Party Congress. It continues to demonstrate that Vietnam prioritizes Japan as one of its top partners.