Japan considers Vietnam indispensable partner: PM

PM Ishiba conveyed this message during his meeting with Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam in Hanoi on Sunday evening, as part of an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of PM Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Japanese leader expressed his delight at returning to Vietnam after 35 years, marking his first visit to the country in his capacity as prime minister.

He emphasized that Japan will continue to support Vietnam in building an independent and self-reliant economy and realizing its strategic socio-economic objectives in the new era of development.

PM Ishiba affirmed that Japan will deepen cooperation in economic affairs, official development assistance (ODA), and investment, while strengthening collaboration in security, defense, cybersecurity, peacekeeping, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

In addition, Japan will promote cooperation with Vietnam in new fields such as digital transformation, innovation, quantum technology, and semiconductors.

Notably, he agreed to support the training of high-quality human resources both in Japan and at the Vietnam-Japan University, a symbol of bilateral cooperation.

The Japanese leader also affirmed continued support and favorable conditions for the over 600,000 Vietnamese living in Japan.

Party leader’s proposals

In response, General Secretary Lam welcomed PM Ishiba’s visit, which coincides with Vietnam’s celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the country’s Reunification Day (April 30).

Lam emphasized that the visit holds significant meaning, helping to usher in a new phase in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

He shared that Vietnam is renewing its economic model, making breakthroughs in science and technology development, and streamlining the state apparatus toward its goals of becoming a modern industrialized nation with upper-middle-income status by 2030 and a high-income, developed economy by 2045.

In terms of foreign policy, Vietnam remains committed to an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and development-oriented approach, viewing Japan as one of its foremost and long-term strategic partners.

General Secretary Lam proposed several major directions to strengthen the two countries’ strategic cooperation.

These include continuously enhancing political trust and consolidating substantive, effective security-defense cooperation, as well as strengthening economic cooperation based on science, technology, and high-quality human resources.

He also suggested that Japan actively participate in Vietnam’s key infrastructure projects through new-generation ODA loans.

He and PM Ishiba agreed to strengthen coordination at regional and international forums amid a rapidly changing and complex international environment, underscoring the importance of contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development both regionally and globally.

On this occasion, General Secretary Lam extended a cordial invitation to the Emperor and Empress of Japan to visit Vietnam soon, and PM Ishiba invited the Party chief and his spouse to visit Japan in the near future.

Japan is currently Vietnam’s largest provider of official development assistance, top partner in labor cooperation, third-largest investor, and fourth-largest trading partner, according to the Vietnam Government Portal.