Japan-Viet Nam Relations

On August 8, commencing at 9:05 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H. E. Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. Minister Kono appreciated that Prime Minister Phuc welcomed the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.” The Minister also stated that he hopes bilateral security and defense cooperation will be developed through a variety of means, including the swift provision of new patrol vessels, and that Japan will continue to make use of the framework of the annual Japan-Viet Nam Cooperation Committee meetings to advance cooperation in a range of areas. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Minh thanked Minister Kono for Japan’s assistance, including the provision of new patrol vessels. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that he looks forward to welcoming Minister Kono to Hanoi, which will host the next meeting of the Japan-Viet Nam Cooperation Committee, for consultations on wide-ranging fields. He expressed gratitude for the supports extended through Japan’s official development assistance (ODA), and hoped that Japan would become the largest investor in Viet Nam. In response, Minister Kono noted that a barber shop from his home city of Hiratsuka has even expanded its business to Hanoi, and asked that Viet Nam create an investment environment in which Japanese companies ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to large enterprises can operate their businesses with a sense of confidence. Deputy Prime Minister Minh stated that he will make efforts to improve the investment environment.
2. Regarding the situation in the South China Sea, Minister Kono expressed his respect to Deputy Prime Minister Minh for firmly stating the position of Viet Nam on various occasions during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings. Deputy Prime Minister Minh highly appreciated that Minister Kono proactively conveyed Japan’s position at various fora, noting that this has provided significant momentum for making progress on the talks regarding the South China Sea issue. The two sides agreed that they will continue to cooperate closely on this issue.