(VOVWORLD) - The Japan–Vietnam relationship is now at its best, said Yoshida Tomoyuki, spokesman for Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, at a press conference on Monday in Hanoi.
Yoshida Tomoyuki, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide’s spokesman at a press conference in Hanoi on October 19, 2020. (Photo: thoidai.com.vn)
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Mr. Yoshida said the PM attaches great importance to relations with Vietnam, as evidenced by his selection of Vietnam as the first destination of his first overseas trip since taking office.
“Vietnam is an important partner of Japan and plays a key role in Japan's free and open Indo-Pacific strategy. Vietnam shares Japan’s vision of freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region, and has the same opinion on free trade. Vietnam is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and Chairman of ASEAN for 2020. Vietnam has led ASEAN discussions on regional security issues during the COVID-19 pandemic."
"That the Japanese government attaches great importance to its relations with Vietnam and feels the relationship has great future potential is the message that Prime Minister Suga wants to convey during his visit to Vietnam."
According to Mr. Yoshida, Vietnam is one of Japan’s most important investment destinations. He provided details about a Japanese support package worth 4 billion USD and answered reporters’ questions about ODA cooperation, policies to attract Japanese firms to Vietnam, and bilateral defence, economic, trade, and investment ties.