After 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations, on November 27, Vietnam and Japan officially upgraded their relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new page full of hope 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 27 ( Japan time), right after the successful talks, President Vo Van Thuong and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met with the press and jointly announced the decision to upgrade the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
For peace and prosperity in Asia and the world
Almost immediately, the electronic versions of Japanese newspapers featured this information in prominent positions on their home pages.
Speaking at a press conference, President Vo Van Thuong confirmed that the two countries have decided to upgrade relations.
"We agreed to jointly issue a Joint Statement on upgrading the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.
This is an important event, opening a new chapter in the Vietnam-Japan relationship to develop substantially, comprehensively, effectively, closely, meet the interests of both sides, and contribute 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 the National Assembly, he has participated in activities of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance and visits Vietnam almost every year. "I have a very deep affinity with Vietnam," the Japanese leader expressed.
The two leaders said they had agreed on major directions for the Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation in the coming time. Accordingly, in terms of politics and national defense and security, the two sides agreed to increase annual high-level exchanges and contacts in many flexible forms.
The two sides will continue to effectively implement existing cooperation dialogue mechanisms and establish new cooperation mechanisms, enhancing substantive and effective defense and security cooperation on the basis of 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 fields, the two leaders agreed to continue strengthening economic ties, promoting cooperation to ensure economic security, and expanding cooperation in new fields such as innovation, technology transfer, digital transformation, and green transformation.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said that Vietnam is a necessary partner of Japan to move towards implementing the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" initiative, an important base in Japan's supply chain and the most promising investment destination among ASEAN countries.
The two sides will work together to co-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 pledged to continue supporting Vietnam in its industrialization and modernization efforts, building an independent and self-reliant economy, and affirming that Vietnam plays an important role in diversifying its supply chain.
Japan pledged to create conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to participate more deeply in the global supply chain of Japanese enterprises, and to fulfill commitments, including reducing net carbon emissions to zero by 2050.
President Vo Van Thuong also welcomed ODA loans from Japan, which are expected to exceed 100 billion yen (about 671 million USD) this year alone, and said that this is an important premise for the two countries to maintain and promote ODA cooperation in the coming years, focusing on areas such as strategic infrastructure, digital transformation, green transformation, climate change response, 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 conversion between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry - Photo: VNA
Independence and autonomy in foreign affairs
Speaking to Tuoi Tre, Professor Stephen Nagy (International Christian University, Japan) put the upgrading of Vietnam and Japan's relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a broader context. He noted that in just the past three months, Vietnam has established Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with the US and Japan, the world's number 1 and number 3 economies, respectively.
According to this expert, both Tokyo and Washington highly appreciate Vietnam's geostrategic position and 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's principle and Hanoi's interests in peace and stability in the region," Mr. Nagy affirmed.
Further explaining Japan's decision, Dr. Nagao Satoru (Hudson Institute, USA) said that Tokyo is in the process of diversifying its supply chain to ensure economic security and national interests.
During that process, Japan saw Vietnam as an ideal destination, with good human resources and abundant resources. Japanese businesses also like to come to Vietnam because of its favorable investment environment and stable politics.
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 receive green technology to help develop more sustainably . "The semiconductor supply chain could appear in Vietnam in the future if Japan and other countries decide to make strategic investments in Vietnam to create a foundation for a sustainable technology supply chain," said Mr. Nagy.
According to Mr. Nagy, Japan hopes that ODA and FDI investments in Vietnam will create sustainable development not only in this country 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, who is teaching in Japan, argued.
* Mr. Sugano Yuichi (Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam):
Opening a new phase of cooperation
Comprehensive strategic partnership is understood as the highest level in Vietnam's foreign relations with other countries, demonstrating mutual trust and commitment to each other in the deepest, strongest and most lasting way.
The establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan opens a new phase of cooperation in bilateral relations.
This new level of relations will create conditions for both sides to enhance mutual understanding, build and consolidate trust, thereby deepening the bilateral relationship.
Through this relationship, Japan has the opportunity to strengthen relations with ASEAN and countries in the region.
Thanks to the above positive impacts, the relationship at a new height will create conditions to mobilize and concentrate resources for important cooperation programs and plans that are mutually beneficial. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework not only brings benefits to the people of the two countries, but also makes an important contribution to cooperation and sustainable development of the region and the world.
As the largest bilateral ODA donor to Vietnam, JICA is ready to contribute to the friendly relationship and development of the two countries through its activities based on the commitment between the leaders and the two governments.
* Mr. Tetsuya Nagaiwa (General Director of Muji Vietnam):
Opportunities for cooperation will be deeper
We believe that when upgrading the Vietnam-Japan relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the already diverse opportunities for cooperation in many fields will become even deeper between the two countries.
Personally, I am very happy that the relationship between the two countries is getting stronger.
As a company representative, we are committed to continuing to invest and operate long-term in Vietnam for sustainable development 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 is always high.
As of the end of November, we have seven stores in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with a total area of over 14,000m2. The outstanding and proud achievement of Muji Vietnam is the steady growth not only in the scope of business but also in the relationship between Muji products and Vietnamese people's lives. We are always highly aware of our commitment to become a useful and useful company for Vietnamese people and society.
So far, the growth of stores continues to prove that Vietnam is an attractive market, thanks to a fast-growing economy, large population, political stability...
In particular, Vietnamese people are very open and ready to accept new things. In addition, the fact that Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. (Muji Vietnam's parent company) 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 investment expansion in Vietnam
AEON Group identifies Vietnam as the second key market besides Japan to accelerate investment activities.
With that strategy, we have been implementing many investment plans in Vietnam, including developing diverse retail models.
We look forward to strengthening close cooperation with manufacturers in Vietnam to jointly develop and improve technology to bring quality domestic products to consumers.
From there, gradually improve the production capacity of suppliers in Vietnam, product quality is aimed at meeting export standards to other countries in Asia.
As Vietnam and Japan upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, these goals of ours are expected to continue to receive support from Vietnamese ministries and agencies in directing and guiding to accelerate the implementation of related procedures to quickly implement investment expansion plans in Vietnam in the coming time.
Vietnam and Japan have a very good diplomatic relationship, both sides have made efforts to promote the development of strategic partnership over the years. In addition to retail, Vietnam and Japan also have a long history of cooperation in many other fields.
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