Japan-Viet Nam Relations

Prime Minister Kishida welcomed President and Madam Thuong to Japan on the occasion of the historic 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and expressed his pleasure at the deepening of mutual understanding between the people of the two countries through many commemorative events. President Thuong expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and stated that he was pleased to see bilateral relations developing in a wide range of fields and that he hoped to take this 50th anniversary as an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations. The two leaders also concurred in elevating the Vietnam-Japan relationship to the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World," in view of the progress of cooperation between the two countries over the years in a wide range of areas of cooperation.

The two leaders held a candid exchange of views for the further future development of bilateral relations under the new partnership.

1. In the economic field, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam, an important supply chain hub and one of the most promising investment destinations, in order to realize a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Partnership (FOIP)" and to promote initiatives that will lead to growth and vitality of the entire region.
   
   In response, President Thuong supported Prime Minister Kishida’s statement, and the two sides confirmed their further collaboration on major ODA and investment projects.
2. The two leaders concurred in cooperating in the high-tech sector, digital transformation (DX), and green transformation (GX), and in working together for the success of the AZEC Summit to be held on the occasion of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in December to boost decarbonization in Asia, including Viet Nam.
3. In the security field, both sides concurred in further expanding defense exchanges and promoting cooperation for the transfer of defense equipment. In addition, both sides welcomed the recent provision of training-related equipment to the Viet Nam Coast Guard Education and Training Center, and concurred in proceeding with cooperation through such programs as the “Official Security Assistance (OSA)”.
4. Regarding people-to-people exchanges, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Vietnamese human resources are essential for Japan's socioeconomic development, and President Thuong expressed his hope for further cooperation from the Japanese government to strengthen people-to-people exchange, including among the younger generation, and to enable Vietnamese residents in Japan to play an even more active role.

Prime Minister Kishida and President Thuong also exchanged candid views on regional and international affairs.

Prime Minister Kishida stated that the international community is at a historic turning point, and that he would like to strengthen cooperation to maintain and enhance a free and open international order based on the rule of law and to ensure a world where "human dignity" is protected. The two leaders shared their view to work more closely together in dealing with regional and international affairs, including cooperation for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, the situation in the East and South China Seas, the response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the situation in Israel and Palestine, the response to North Korea, including its nuclear and missile issues, such as its launch using ballistic missile technology on November 21, 2023, and the abductions issue, the situation in Myanmar, and cooperation to realize a “World without Nuclear Weapons."

In the presence of the two leaders, the following documents in relation to bilateral cooperation were exchanged.

1. Memorandum of Cooperation Between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (“MOIT”) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of JAPAN (“METI”) on the Realization of Energy Transitions
2. The Project for the Improvement of Conservation and Restoration Capacity for Cultural Heritage at the Viet Nam National Museum of History
3. the Programme for COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support
4. Arrangement Concerning Feasibility Study Between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan For Scientific Cooperation in Space Technology Phase 2023-2028

In addition, the provision of training-related equipment to Viet Nam Coast Guard Education and Training Centre, which was signed and exchanged on November 24 in Ha Noi, was also introduced, and "Viet Nam 2045," a policy proposal by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) for Vietnam to become a developed country, was handed to the two leaders.

After the document exchange ceremony, the two leaders gave a joint press release.