Press Releases

On August 2, commencing at 4:00 p.m. for around 25 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call from H.E. Mr. To Huy Rua, President of the Viet Nam-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association, who is visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the start of the meeting, Minister Kishida welcomed President Rua and his delegation on their visit to Japan. Minister Kishida expressed his expectation that this year, as the two countries celebrates the "Japan-Viet Nam Friendship Year" and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Viet Nam, the "strategic partnership" between the two countries will be further strengthened. Minister Kishida also stated that he has been personally involved in activities related to Japan-Viet Nam relations as a member of the Japan-Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Association for 20 years, and that he would like to continue working for furthering the bilateral relations in the future.

2. President Rua stated that Japan-Viet Nam relations are currently the closest and most developed they have been in 40 years, and that he would like to further strengthen cooperation as strategic partners in a wide range of fields, including politics, economics, culture, science and technology, people-to-people exchanges and education.

3. In addition, Minister Kishida said Japan will continue to support the economic and social development of Viet Nam, as the largest direct investor and ODA donor country to Viet Nam.