Vietnam - Japan relations in 50 years have '6 more things', many great strides

On the morning of December 18th, in Tokyo, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a working breakfast with the Japan Federation of Economic Councils (FEC), chaired by Ken Matsuzawa.

Vietnam-Japan relations over the past 50 years have six key areas of significant progress (Figure 1). — The Prime Minister stated that Japan continues to be Vietnam's leading economic partner, the largest provider of ODA, the second largest labor cooperation partner, the third largest investor and tourism partner, and the fourth largest trading partner.

The Council will further promote investment, cooperation, and economic linkages with Vietnam.

Mr. Matsuzawa Ken stated that the Japanese Council and people are delighted to welcome Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; they highly appreciate Vietnam's strong role in ASEAN and the region, attracting world attention in the political , economic, and diplomatic fields, and that the world is also aware of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's dynamic and active activities.

Mr. Matsuzawa Ken expressed his pleasure at the positive and favorable development of Vietnam-Japan relations in recent times, noting that the two countries have worked together, shared joys and sorrows, learned from each other, and made positive contributions to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world. He expressed confidence that the Prime Minister's visit would be highly successful, further promoting and contributing to Vietnam-Japan relations in the future.

He agreed with the Prime Minister's view that the most important thing is to act and bring about practical and effective benefits. The delegates participating in the meeting were all businesses that have invested in Vietnam or are wishing to invest in Vietnam, and in the coming time, based on the Prime Minister's directives, the Council will further promote investment, cooperation, and economic linkages with Vietnam.

Vietnam-Japan relations over the past 50 years have six key areas of significant progress (Figure 2). — Mr. Matsuzawa Ken stated that the Japanese Council and people highly appreciate Vietnam's strong role in ASEAN and the region.

During the meeting, members of the Council, including many large companies, introduced the potential, strengths, and activities in Vietnam, highly appreciated the investment and business environment, and presented their future directions with a determination to continue accompanying Vietnam. For example, Mizuho Bank considers Vietnam its most important strategic market in Southeast Asia and will continue to promote cooperation and investment in Vietnam, contributing to Vietnam's development.

YKK, the world's number one zipper manufacturer, stated that its production facility in Vietnam is the most important to the group, and therefore, starting in April of this year, the group has moved its production division to Vietnam.

Continuously preserving and promoting friendship is a priceless asset between the two nations.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his pleasure at meeting Chairman Matsuzawa Ken again; he welcomed the FEC's continued deep interest in Vietnam, its many practical and effective contributions to the development of bilateral relations, bringing benefits to the people of both countries, and creating an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Reviewing the major milestones and achievements in 50 years of Vietnam-Japan relations with many remarkable advances, the Prime Minister stated that there are "six things that are better": deeper affection; more clearly perceived sincerity; higher trust; more effective and substantive cooperation; cooperation expanding in scope and scale; and greater mutual understanding and affection.

Vietnam-Japan relations over the past 50 years have six key areas of significant progress (Figure 3). — With over 5,200 projects and more than US$71.5 billion in registered capital, Japanese investors are present in almost all localities of Vietnam, participating in many strategic projects in several key sectors.

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister suggested that both sides should continue to educate the younger generations of both countries to constantly preserve and promote the friendship, which is a priceless asset between the two nations; build upon what has been achieved, learn from what has not been achieved; concretize the comprehensive strategic partnership into specific programs, plans, and projects, thereby bringing about measurable results, strengthening sincerity, affection, and trust, and bringing the relationship between the two countries to a deeper, more substantive, and more effective level.

The Prime Minister requested that the Japanese Council, people, and businesses continue to support and accompany Vietnam in its industrialization and modernization efforts; implement the three strategic breakthroughs (building and perfecting institutions; building modern and synchronized infrastructure; and training and developing high-quality human resources), specifically by attracting more investment capital with better incentives, cooperating in research and high-tech transfer, training human resources, cooperating in labor, improving management capacity towards modernization, and contributing to the development of institutions, policies, and regulations.

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