HCMC – Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, speaking at his meeting in Hanoi on April 27 with Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam, affirmed Vietnam is an indispensable partner of Japan.
The meeting at the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee headquarters, coincided with Vietnam’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and the reunification of the nation.
The visit is expected to usher in a new phase of development in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2023 between the two nations.
To Lam proposed enhancing political trust, substantive defense and security cooperation, and economic collaboration driven by science, technology, and high-quality human resources. He urged Japan to actively participate in Vietnam’s major infrastructure projects through a new generation of official development assistance (ODA).
He called for stronger cooperation in digital transformation, quantum technology, semiconductors, and workforce training.
PM Ishiba Shigeru described Vietnam as an “indispensable partner” and pledged continued support for Vietnam’s goals of economic independence, industrialization, and modernization. He praised Vietnam’s strategic shift toward a new era of economic and technological development under To Lam’s leadership, as well as its governance reforms and proactive role amid complex global and regional dynamics.
Ishiba expressed confidence in Vietnam’s potential for greater achievements and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to deepening economic ties, ODA, and investment. He outlined plans to enhance cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, peacekeeping, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, with a focus on emerging fields like digital transformation and innovation.
Japan will also support high-quality human resource training, both in Japan and at the University of Vietnam-Japan.
Both leaders agreed to closely coordinate at international and regional forums, including the United Nations and ASEAN, to promote peace, stability, and development.
Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1973.
Japan remains Vietnam’s largest ODA donor, the top partner in labor cooperation, the third-largest investor, and the fourth-largest partner in tourism and trade. Bilateral trade totaled US$46.2 billion in 2024, up by 2.7% against the previous year.
Ishiba’s April 27-29 visit at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh marks his first trip to Vietnam since assuming office.
