Important partners, sharing many common interests

Responding to Thanh Nien , Professor Stephen Robert Nagy (International Christian University - Japan, scholar at the Japan Institute of International Studies) commented that Japan considers Vietnam a key partner in the East Sea and the Indo-Pacific.

On November 27, President Vo Van Thuong received Mr. Nikai Toshihiro, Chairman of the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance.

"With a stable political system and a young population, Vietnam is an ideal destination for Japan to selectively diversify its supply chain. Vietnam has a reliable position in the East Sea to coordinate to maintain security and address hegemonic challenges in the region. Upgrading relations with Japan still ensures compliance with Vietnam's four-no diplomatic principles, but also shares common interests for peace and stability in the region," Professor Nagy analyzed.

Similarly, Professor Yoichiro Sato (international relations expert, Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University, Japan) commented: "The relationship between the two countries is getting better and better. Japan has provided patrol boats for the Vietnamese coast guard. The two sides can also move towards many security and defense cooperation programs in the near future to ensure security and peace for the region, especially the East Sea."

"Vietnam is increasingly diversifying its international cooperation. In terms of relations, the Vietnam-Japan relationship is developing steadily and has very few barriers," Professor Sato added.

Sharing the same view, Dr. Satoru Nagao (Hudson Institute, USA) affirmed: "Vietnam - Japan relations are very important in terms of economy, security and politics. Regarding security, the situation in the East Sea has urged the two countries to strengthen cooperation. Recently, Japan has strengthened cooperation and security support for Vietnam, and cooperation programs will probably be further strengthened in the coming time."

More specifically, according to Dr. Nagao, the economic aspect is also very important. Japanese companies are currently moving factories to Vietnam because of Vietnam's strength in labor force. Japan also accepts many Vietnamese workers.

Mr. Nagao cited: "According to the Japan Immigration Services Agency, by the end of 2022, there will be more than 500,000 Vietnamese people living and working in Japan. This number is constantly increasing. Vietnamese people are currently the second largest group of foreigners in Japan. But current trends show that Vietnamese people may soon become the largest group of foreigners in Japan. Thanks to that, economic relations based on people-to-people connections between the two countries will be strong."

In fact, many Japanese enterprises have recently expressed their desire to increase investment in Vietnam. Earlier this year, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Ho Chi Minh City published a survey showing that indicators of prospects, profits, and business investment expansion of Japanese enterprises in Vietnam have increased sharply. Accordingly, up to 60% of Japanese enterprises participating in the survey said they would expand their business activities in Vietnam.

Further analyzing, Dr. Nagao pointed out: "In terms of politics, the leaders of the two countries have regularly promoted cooperation in recent times. Vietnam has become one of the destinations on the foreign trips of many Japanese Prime Ministers such as Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide and most recently the current Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. This means that Japan considers Vietnam a very important partner."

Dr. Nagao expects: "Vietnam and Japan are both nurturing this relationship, so in the coming time, the relationship between the two countries will develop even more."

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