Vietnam-Japan relations thrive thanks to people-based bridge-building

Vietnam-Japan relations have seen strong progress across the field since the establishment of diplomatic ties 45 years ago, which is partly attributable to the bridge-building role of many individuals and organisations.
Professor-Doctor Furuta Motoo, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association and Founding Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University (Photo: Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

Professor-Doctor Furuta Motoo, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association and Founding Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University (Photo: Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

Professor-Doctor Furuta Motoo, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association (JVFA) and Founding Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University, is one such individual.

The JVFA was set up in 1955 with the goal of promoting the friendship between the people of the two countries, he said, adding that with the rapid increase in the number of Vietnamese living in Japan, one of the main activities of the association now is to support the overseas Vietnamese community in Japan.

With an expansive network of chapters, the association has organised diverse exchange activities such as Vietnamese language classes, gatherings on the occasion of Vietnamese traditional lunar new year, film screenings, music and cuisine festivals.

As Founding Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University, Prof Furuta said the university aims to become a leading research university in Asia.

In July 2017, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) established the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Centre to organise and support joint scientific research and technological transfer programmes between Vietnam and Japan. The centre also works to promote bilateral economic and cultural exchange activities.

Director of the Centre Bui Khac Son, who is also deputy head of VUFO and standing vice chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association, said the centre aims to become a reliable bridge connecting the business communities of the two countries.

According to Son, the centre will focus on facilitating business partnership in market research, personnel training, technology transfer, agriculture and industries using renewable energy.

Besides, the centre also plans other cultural and sport events such as making a film on agriculturalist Luong Dinh Cua who was trained in Japan, and holding a friendship golf tournament.

For Syoei Utsuda, President of the Vietnam Friendship Association in Japan, Vietnam has become familiar to Japanese people. At present, more than 260,000 Vietnamese are living in Japan, with the number of student and trainees rising rapidly.

According to Utsuda, his association has engaged in many support activities targeting the overseas Vietnamese in Japan. It hosted a conference last August on the theme of spiritual support for Vietnamese in Japan.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.