President attends ceremony marking 50 years of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties
Tokyo (VNA) – President Vo Van
Thuong and his spouse attended a ceremony marking the
50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties held in Tokyo on November 28.
Speaking
at the event, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said since the establishment of diplomatic ties five decades ago, the
Vietnam-Japan cooperative and friendly relations have developed strongly,
substantively, extensively, with accomplishments in almost all areas thanks to cultural
similarities, the convergence of interests, political trust, and especially the
relentless efforts of generations of leaders and people of both countries.
He said the
Vietnamese community in Japan is growing stronger with over half a million
people, making it the second largest foreign community, contributing
significantly to Japan's socio-economic development.
For Vietnam, Japan is not
only the leading and long-term comprehensive strategic partner but also a sincere
and reliable companion, he said, wishing that the two foreign ministries would effectively work together, contributing to concretising the bilateral comprehensive
strategic partnership.
Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko said Vietnam and Japan not only boost cooperation
for peace and stability in the region and the world but also aim to maintain
and strengthen the international order that is free, open and based on the rule
of law.
Referring to the vision
for the next five decades in the bilateral relationship, she highlighted the
utmost importance of promoting youth exchanges and cooperation in new areas,
particularly in addressing environmental issues, green transformation, digital
transformation, and more.
At the event, President Thuong
and his spouse, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, Speaker of the
Japanese House of Representatives Nukaga Fukushiro and guests enjoyed the Vietnam-Japan
friendship concert which was co-hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture,
Sports and Tourism and the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, with performances by
artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and the NHK Symphony
Orchestra of Japan, under the direction of conductor Honna Tetsuji.
On the occasion, a photo
exhibition marking the anniversary opened, showcasing historical milestones in diplomatic
ties between the two nations./.