Vietnam-Japan relations develop stably in all aspects: Japanese politician

Tokyo (VNA) – The Vietnam-Japan relations have developed sustainably thanks to similarities in the two peoples’ characteristics - industriousness and honesty, which help enhance mutual trust, according to Japanese former Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuhito Asano.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency’s reporters on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relationship, Asano said over the past 45 years, the bilateral ties have been bolstered through not only stable political relations and expanding trade ties but also people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation in the fields of education, culture and sports.

He noted that the rare presence of the Japanese Emperor and Empress at the national banquet held to mark 45th years of diplomatic relations on the occasion of President Tran Dai Quang’s official visit to Japan demonstrates the high esteem that Japan gives to Vietnam.

Asano expressed his belief that further collaboration in the future will bring a bright future to both nations.

Regarding the East Sea issue, he said that dialogues should be maintained to prevent conflicts in the waters. He hoped that Vietnam and Japan will foster friendship with China to maintain stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific.

Vietnam and Japan set up their diplomatic ties in September 1973. Over the past years, the two countries have become important partners of each other in many fields. Since Vietnam and Japan lift their relationship to an Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia in March 2014, the two sides have enjoyed strong, comprehensive and practical progress in bilateral ties.

Bilateral partnership is now at its best time in history since the establishment of diplomatic relationship. Senior leaders of the two sides have maintained regular visits and meetings at international and regional forums. The Prime Minister of Japan visited Vietnam 10 times, while the Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives made two visits to Vietnam.

Speaker of the House of Councillors of Japan Yamazaki visited Vietnam in December 2015, while Prince Akishino paid an official visit to Vietnam in June 1999 and a private visit in August 2012. The Crown Prince visited Vietnam in 2009, and the Japanese Emperor and Empress visited Vietnam in 2017.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the CPV made four visits to Japan, the State President made two visits, the Prime Minister made six official visits and nine working visits, and the National Assembly leader also made two official visits to Japan.

The two sides have implemented important cooperation mechanisms, including the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee co-chaired by the two Foreign Ministers (which has met 9 times since 2007), the bilateral strategic dialogue on diplomacy-security-defence at Deputy Foreign Ministerial level (six meetings since 2010), the Vietnam-Japan defence policy dialogue at deputy ministerial level (five meetings since November 2012), and security dialogue at deputy ministerial level (five meetings since November 2013), the joint committee on trade, energy and agriculture cooperation (two meetings since 2014), and the agricultural dialogue at ministerial level (three meetings since 2014).

The two sides have cooperated closely and effectively at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).-VNA