Vietnamese, Japanese PMs hold talks in Tokyo

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe had talks in Tokyo on October 8, reaching consensus on various measures to bring the countries’ extensive strategic partnership to a new stage of more comprehensive and substantive development.

The Vietnamese leader is on a trip to attend the 10th Mekong – Japan Summit and visit the Northeast Asian nation. At the talks, the two sides applauded the substantive expansion of the countries’ friendship and cooperation in all aspects like economy, politics, security – defence, agriculture and human resources training. They welcomed the numerous activities held to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties this year.

PM Phuc congratulated Abe on being re-elected President of the Liberal Democratic Party, expressing his belief that under the leadership of PM Abe, Japan will play an increasingly important role in the region and the world, and the countries’ relations will be reinforced even more strongly.

On behalf of the Japanese Government and people, the host offered the deepest condolences on the passing of former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Do Muoi and President Tran Dai Quang. He spoke highly of the two’s contributions to bilateral connections.

At the event, the PMs agreed to continue to enhance political trust by maintaining high-level visits and meetings, and promote substantive defence – security cooperation, particularly in training manpower, transferring defence technology and equipment, military medicine, cyber security, joining United Nations peacekeeping missions, addressing war consequences through clearing unexploded ordnance and supporting dioxin victims in Vietnam, and sharing experience in building policies on sustainable sea-based economic development in Vietnam.

They agreed to push ahead with the countries’ economic connectivity in a mutually beneficial manner. Vietnam and Japan will step up partnerships in supporting industries, energy, hi-tech agriculture and high-quality infrastructure. They will create conditions for their fruits, including oranges and apples of Japan and lychees, longans and star apples of Vietnam, to enter each other’s markets. 

 

The leaders also discussed ways to accelerate some ongoing projects.

PM Abe said the Japanese Government attaches importance to the sustainable development of Vietnam and will make efforts to promote this through ODA and investment projects of Japanese businesses. His country will further assist the Southeast Asian nation in e-Government building, administrative reforms and labour productivity improvement, thereby helping Vietnam create a favourable investment climate to attract more direct investment from Japan.

Japan will also support Vietnam to improve medical workers’ capacity within the framework of the Asia Health Initiative, he added.

The PMs welcomed the two countries’ launch of negotiations on a mutual legal assistance agreement on criminal matters and another on the transfer of convicts.

They also agreed to foster collaboration in health care, education and labour, noting that Japan is ready to receive more Vietnamese practitioners. PM Phuc asked Japan to consider exempting income and residence taxes on Vietnamese practitioners and create more favourable conditions for granting visas for tourists from Vietnam.

Regarding regional and international issues, the leaders pledged cooperation to ensure the success of the 10th Mekong – Japan Summit and promote ASEAN – Japan relations when Vietnam serves as the coordinator of ASEAN – Japan ties for 2018 – 2021.

They affirmed the resolve to push the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) into force at an early date and to step up talks on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

At the talks, they also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of shared concern, voicing the support for relevant parties’ efforts to promote peace, stability and denuclearisation in this peninsula.

As for the East Sea issue, PMs Phuc and Abe reiterated the importance of ensuring security and safety of navigation and aviation, solving all disputes and differences by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, fully and effectively implementing the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and soon finalising a substantive, effective and legally binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at their talks in Tokyo on October 8 (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at their talks in Tokyo on October 8 (Photo: VNA)
VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.