Japan-Viet Nam Relations
Japan-Viet Nam Summit Meeting
Photograph of the Prime Minister shaking hands with the President of Viet Nam
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Prime Minister meeting with the President of Viet Nam (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On November 10, commencing at 9:50 a.m. (local time) for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Da Nang, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, held a Japan-Viet Nam Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Tran Dai Quang, President of Viet Nam. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Beginning
(1) President Quang stated the following:
i. President Quang welcomed Prime Minister Abe on his second visit to Viet Nam, congratulated him on his massive victory in the recent election, and appreciated Japan for its rapid assistance with Viet Nam’s typhoon damage.
ii. President Quang expressed his delight that the two countries’ partnership is comprehensively advancing, and explained that he is overjoyed that high-level exchanges are taking place, including the visit to Viet Nam by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan and by Prime Minister Abe.
(2) In response, Prime Minister Abe stated the following:
ii. Prime Minister Abe stated that he is pleased to be making his second visit to Viet Nam this year, and to be meeting President Quang for the third time. Prime Minister Abe welcomed the agreement in principle on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and expressed gratitude for Viet Nam’s efforts.
iii. Prime Minister Abe explained that at the TPP Summit Meeting, he hopes cooperate with President Quang to confirm the agreement in principle by the 11 countries, and present a proactive stance on formulating free and fair trade rules. Prime Minister explained that he hopes to work closely together to bring the TPP into force promptly, and appreciated the ministers in charge in both countries for their contributions.
(3) In addition, President Quang stated that he hopes to be able to confirm the agreement in principle of the 11 countries at the following TPP Summit Meeting and announce a major outcome. President Quang welcomed the positive results obtained by the two countries’ ministers in charge, expressed gratitude for Japan’s APEC support, and stated that he hopes for ongoing cooperation for the success of the meeting.
(4) In response, Prime Minister Abe expressed gratitude for Viet Nam’s constructive efforts as APEC Chair, explained that he intends to disseminate Japan’s initiatives, such as its productivity revolution and human resources development revolution, at the discussion on inclusive and sustainable economies that is one of the priority challenges of this year’s APEC, and stated that he also hopes to continue to coordinate closely in order to realize a high quality agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
2. Bilateral relations and regional and international affairs, including the North Korea and South China Sea situations
(1) Prime Minister Abe stated the following:
i. Prime Minister Abe welcomed the recent signing of five private-sector cooperation projects, stated that he hopes to steadily implement a “Package of Joint strategic cooperation” between Japan and Viet Nam for strengthening industrial competitiveness, and expressed expectation of support with resolving the issues faced by Japanese companies, such as investment benefits.
ii. Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan plans to provide a yen loan of approximately 30 billion yen for improving Viet Nam’s sewage system and investment environment, and hopes to utilize continuously Japanese companies’ knowledge in areas such as the development of high quality infrastructure and energy cooperation.
iii. Prime Minister Abe explained that he intends to promote steadily ahead with human resources development through Japan-Viet Nam University and with support for administrative reform, including training for Viet Nam’s senior party officials. Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan will also provide medical care cooperation and cooperate on training high quality medical care personnel under the “Asia Health and Human Well-Being Initiative”.
iv. Prime Minister Abe noted that Mr. Ryotaro Sugi, Japan-Viet Nam/ Viet Nam-Japan Special Ambassador, is currently preparing the Japan-Viet Nam Music Festival for next year’s 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and explained that Japan intends to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries’ citizens through training Japanese language teachers.
v. Prime Minister Abe stated that he intends to further pursue cooperation in the security field under Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.
(2) In response, President Quang stated the following:
i. President Quang expressed gratitude for Official Development Assistance (ODA) from Japan, and also expressed appreciation for Japan’s support for Viet Nam’s human resources training and administrative organizations.
ii. President Quang stated that he also intends to strengthen the relationship between the two countries in the security field, and hopes to further strengthen the two countries’ relationship next year, the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
(3) With regard to the North Korea problem, Prime Minister Abe stated the following:
i. Prime Minister Abe explained that pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile development programs should be maximized in order to put North Korea in a situation where it has no choice but to come to the dialogue table with denuclearization as a premise, and he expressed expectation of further initiatives by Viet Nam in order to close loopholes in sanctions.
ii. Prime Minister Abe explained that the abductions issue is a top priority issue of the Abe Administration, and expressed that he hopes Viet Nam for understanding and cooperation on resolving the issue promptly.
(4) In response, President Quang explained that Viet Nam is also complying with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and stated that Viet Nam sympathizes with Japanese citizens with regard to the abductions issue, which is a human rights and humanitarian issues, and hopes to cooperate with Japan what Viet Nam can do.
3. Following the meeting, the two leaders attended a ceremony for exchanging cooperation documents on six projects, including five private-sector cooperation ones.