After 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations, on November 27, Vietnam and Japan officially upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new and hopeful chapter for both countries and the region.
President Vo Van Thuong and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at a press conference - Photo: VNA
On the evening of November 27th ( Japan time), immediately after their successful talks, President Vo Van Thuong and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met with the press to announce their decision to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
For peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.
Almost immediately, the online versions of Japanese newspapers featured this information prominently on their home pages.
Speaking at a press conference, President Vo Van Thuong confirmed that the two countries have decided to upgrade their relationship.
"We have agreed to issue a Joint Statement on upgrading our bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world."
"This is an important event, opening a new chapter in Vietnam-Japan relations that are developing in a substantive, comprehensive, effective, and closely linked manner, meeting the interests of both sides and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world," the Vietnamese leader emphasized.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio shared that since becoming a member of Parliament, he has been involved in the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance and has visited Vietnam almost every year. "I have a very deep connection with Vietnam," the Japanese leader expressed.
The two leaders stated that they had agreed on the major and key directions of Vietnam-Japan friendly cooperation in the coming period. Accordingly, in terms of politics and defense and security, both sides agreed to strengthen high-level exchanges and contacts annually through various flexible forms.
Both sides will continue to effectively implement existing dialogue and cooperation mechanisms and establish new cooperation mechanisms, strengthening substantive and effective defense and security cooperation based on the joint documents signed between the two countries.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam - Data: Duy Linh - Graphics: TAN DAT
Regarding economic cooperation and new areas, the two leaders agreed to continue strengthening economic linkages, promoting cooperation to ensure economic security, and expanding cooperation in new areas such as innovation, technology transfer, digital transformation, and green transformation.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio stated that Vietnam is an essential partner for Japan in implementing the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" initiative, a crucial hub in Japan's supply chain, and the most promising investment destination among ASEAN countries.
The two sides will cooperate to jointly create future industries such as high technology, train human resources, and promote cooperation and support in defense equipment. Prime Minister Kishida affirmed: "Vietnamese human resources are an indispensable presence in Japan's socio-economic development process."
Japan is committed to continuing its support for Vietnam's industrialization and modernization, building an independent and self-reliant economy, and affirming Vietnam's important role in diversifying Japan's supply chains.
The Japanese side is committed to creating conditions for Vietnamese businesses to participate more deeply in the global supply chains of Japanese companies, fulfilling commitments, including achieving net carbon emissions of zero by 2050.
President Vo Van Thuong also welcomed ODA loans from Japan, which are expected to exceed 100 billion yen (approximately 671 million USD) this year alone, and stated that this is an important foundation for the two countries to maintain and strengthen ODA cooperation in the coming years, focusing on areas such as strategic infrastructure, digital transformation, green transformation, climate change mitigation, and healthcare.
President Vo Van Thuong and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio witnessed the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of energy transition between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan - Photo: VNA
Independence and self-reliance in foreign affairs.
Speaking to Tuoi Tre newspaper, Professor Stephen Nagy (International Christian University, Japan) placed the upgrading of relations between Vietnam and Japan to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership within a broader context. He noted that in just the past three months, Vietnam has established Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with the United States and Japan, the world's number 1 and number 3 economies, respectively.
According to this expert, both Tokyo and Washington highly value Vietnam's geostrategic location and its great potential in the region and the world.
"Vietnam's decision to upgrade relations to the highest level with both the US and Japan within three months is a wise decision based on the four 'no' principles and Hanoi's interests in peace and stability in the region," Nagy affirmed.
Further explaining Japan's decision, Dr. Nagao Satoru (Hudson Institute, USA) said that Tokyo is in the process of diversifying its supply chains to ensure economic security and national interests.
During that process, Japan saw Vietnam as an ideal destination, possessing both a skilled workforce and abundant resources. Japanese businesses also favored Vietnam due to its favorable investment environment and political stability.
Regarding the potential for cooperation between the two countries after the upgrade, Professor Nagy commented that Vietnam is at an ideal stage of development to adopt green technologies that will help it develop more sustainably . "A semiconductor supply chain could emerge in Vietnam in the future if Japan and other countries decide to strategically invest in Vietnam to create a foundation for a sustainable technology supply chain," said Professor Nagy.
According to Mr. Nagy, Japan hopes that ODA and FDI investments in Vietnam will create sustainable development not only in Japan but also promote the integration of businesses and countries in the region. "Japan's logic is that the more closely ASEAN integrates, the more strategic autonomy the bloc will have to make independent geopolitical decisions," the professor, currently teaching in Japan, argued.
* Mr. Sugano Yuichi (Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam):
Opening a new phase of cooperation.
A comprehensive strategic partnership is understood as the highest level in Vietnam's foreign relations with other countries, demonstrating mutual trust and commitment in the deepest, strongest, and most enduring way.
The establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Japan opens a new phase of cooperation in bilateral relations.
This elevated level of relations will create conditions for both sides to enhance mutual understanding, build and strengthen trust, and thereby deepen the bilateral relationship.
Through this relationship, Japan is also in a position to strengthen its ties with ASEAN and other countries in the region.
Thanks to these positive impacts, the relationship at this new level will facilitate the mobilization and concentration of resources for important cooperation programs and plans that are mutually beneficial. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework not only benefits the people of both countries but also makes a significant contribution to sustainable cooperation and development in the region and the world.
As the largest bilateral ODA donor to Vietnam, JICA is ready to contribute to the friendly relations and development of the two countries through its activities, based on the commitments made between the leaders and governments of both countries.
* Mr. Tetsuya Nagaiwa (General Manager of Muji Vietnam):
Opportunities for deeper cooperation will arise.
We believe that as Vietnam and Japan upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the already diverse opportunities for cooperation across multiple fields will become even deeper between the two countries.
From a personal perspective, I am very pleased that the relationship between our two countries is becoming even stronger.
From our perspective as company representatives, we are committed to continuing our long-term investment and operations in Vietnam to achieve sustainable growth together.
The good relationship between the two countries helps Japanese businesses enhance their brand reputation in the eyes of Vietnamese consumers. In particular, Vietnamese people's trust in Japanese quality remains consistently high.
As of the end of November, we have seven stores in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with a total area of over 14,000 square meters. Muji Vietnam's outstanding and proud achievement is its steady growth not only in business but also in the relationship between Muji products and the lives of Vietnamese people. We are always highly aware of our commitment to being a useful and beneficial company for Vietnamese people and society.
To date, the growth of these stores continues to demonstrate that Vietnam is an attractive market, thanks to its rapidly growing economy, large population, and political stability.
And importantly, Vietnamese people are very open and receptive to new things. Furthermore, the fact that Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. (the parent company of Muji Vietnam) has many partner factories in Vietnam is also one of the reasons for the commitment to long-term investments.
* Mr. Furusawa Yasuyuki (General Director of AEON Vietnam):
Promoting expanded investment in Vietnam
AEON Group has identified Vietnam as its second key market, alongside Japan, to accelerate its investment activities.
With that strategy in mind, we have been implementing various investment plans in Vietnam, including developing diverse retail models.
We aim to strengthen close cooperation with manufacturers in Vietnam to jointly develop and improve technology, bringing high-quality domestic products to consumers.
From there, the production capacity of suppliers in Vietnam will be gradually improved, with product quality aiming to meet export standards for other Asian countries.
As Vietnam and Japan upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, these objectives are expected to continue to receive support from Vietnamese ministries and agencies in directing and guiding the process to expedite the implementation of relevant procedures for the rapid deployment of investment expansion plans in Vietnam in the coming period.
Vietnam and Japan enjoy excellent diplomatic relations, with both sides striving to promote the development of their strategic partnership over the years. Beyond retail, Vietnam and Japan also have a long history of cooperation in many other fields.
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