Japan sees Vietnam as key partner in region: lower house speaker
Japan sees Vietnam as key partner in region: lower house speaker
Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Fukushiro Nukaga affirmed that Japan considers Vietnam a key partner in its foreign policy toward the region and hopes the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations will continue to develop.
Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Fukushiro Nukaga (L) shakes hands with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man in Tokyo, December 4, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency |
The Japanese legislator made the statement at his talks with Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man in Tokyo on Wednesday as part of Man’s five-day official visit to Japan.
Speaker Nukaga welcomed Man’s first visit to Japan in his new position and expressed his delight that President Luong Cuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had consecutive meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over the past month, demonstrating closeness and trust between the two countries' senior leaders.
The Japanese legislator emphasized that Japan considers Vietnam an important partner in the implementation of Japan’s foreign policy toward the region and shared his hope that the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership will continue developing effectively, substantially, and strongly in the coming time.
Nukaga affirmed that the National Diet of Japan supports the two countries in strengthening their cooperation in economics, trade, investment, and official development assistance (ODA).
He added that his country is promoting the diversification of supply chains, and that many Japanese companies have expressed their wish to expand their investments in Vietnam.
The Vietnamese NA leader congratulated Nukaga on his re-election as Speaker of the House of Representatives, extending gratitude for Japan's support to Vietnam in mitigating the devastating impact of typhoon Yagi, which ravaged the northern region in December.
Man affirmed that Vietnam regards Japan as one of its leading and long-term partners and supports its active role and contributions to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world in general.
Both leaders expressed pleasure at the sound development of the Vietnam-Japan relations after one year of their comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as at the closer cooperation between the Vietnamese legislature and the Japanese House of Representatives.
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| The meeting between the delegations of Vietnam (R) and Japan led by Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Fukushiro Nukaga in Tokyo, December 4, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency |
They agreed to enhance the bilateral parliamentary cooperation through strengthening exchanges between specialized committees, the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, and young and female legislators of both nations.
Both sides also agreed to promote collaboration in security and defense, including the implementation of agreements on defense technology and equipment transfer, as well as enhancing cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping activities.
Speaker Nukaga told his guest that Japan will continue its support for Vietnam in addressing the consequences of the American war in Vietnam and in enhancing the efficiency of disaster relief and rescue operations.
Sharing his appreciation for Japan's ODA to Vietnam over the past 30 years, Chairman Man proposed that Japan provide Vietnam with new-generation ODA – with high incentives and flexible procedures – for large-scale strategic infrastructure projects.
He also asked Japan to continue assisting Vietnam in training high-quality human resources.
Man told his host that Vietnam is perfecting its legal systems and improving the investment environment to further facilitate international investors and ensure fairness and equality between Vietnamese and foreign enterprises.
Besides traditional cooperative fields including trade and investment, the two sides consented to foster collaboration in new areas such as artificial intelligence, creative innovation, digital transformation, green transition, digital society, and energy transition.
The Vietnamese legislator proposed that Japan back Vietnam’s participation in the global semiconductor supply chain of Japanese enterprises.
Appreciating the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Japan to the country’s socio-economic development, Speaker Nukaga pledged to continue expanding job opportunities for Vietnamese workers in Japan, improving their living and working conditions, and ensuring equal social welfare for them.
Chairman Man invited Nukaga to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time, which the Japanese legislator accepted with pleasure.
Having established diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1973, Japan is currently Vietnam’s largest ODA provider, the second-biggest labor cooperation partner, the third-largest investor and tourism partner, and the fourth-biggest trading partner, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
