On the evening of September 21, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association held a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Japan diplomatic relations.

Standing member of the Secretariat, Head of the Central Organizing Committee Truong Thi Mai, Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko viewed the photo exhibition on 50 years of Vietnam-Japan relations.

At the ceremony, Standing member of the Secretariat, Head of the Central Organizing CommitteeTruong Thi Mai , Chairwoman of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group said that with a history of exchange between the two countries spanning more than 13 centuries, especially over 50 years of cooperation and development, Vietnam and Japan are truly proud, truly trustworthy partners, closely connected, increasingly developing deeply in many fields.

These achievements are the result of the persistent efforts of the two countries and peoples through many historical periods, overcoming differences, going through ups and downs, and working together to build and develop.

Ms. Truong Thi Mai affirmed that this is an extremely favorable time for the two countries to look forward to new expectations in the future, as committed between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in a phone call in February this year on bringing the relationship between the two countries to a new height .

Vietnam always considers Japan an important and long-term partner. "Together we will commit to building a trusting and substantive relationship in all fields, taking advantage of and promoting each country's strengths, cooperating and complementing each other on the path of development."

Ms. Truong Thi Mai believes that the most important thing is the "will" and "sincerity" between the two peoples, as President Ho Chi Minh once affirmed "Where there is determination, there is success", and the famous 18th century Japanese thinker Yoshida Shoin also said "With sincere cooperation, there will be good results".

Ms. Truong Thi Mai spoke at the ceremony.

Ms. Truong Thi Mai believes that with the sincere heart-to-heart connection between the people of the two countries, along with the support and consensus of the leaders of Vietnam and Japan, the two countries will "hand in hand" continue on the path to the future, with closer, more cohesive and effective cooperation.

Crown Prince Akishino expressed his joy at being able to visit Vietnam with the Princess again and thanked Vietnam for the warm welcome given to the members of the Japanese Royal Family. He said that the friendship between Vietnam and Japan has been nurtured over a long history spanning over 1,000 years. The Crown Prince reviewed the progress of the two countries in history from the 8th century with cultural exchange, to the 16th-17th century with trade in Hoi An, to the 20th century with the Dong Du movement.

Over the past 50 years, exchange activities between the two countries have been vibrant, with international students being a typical example. Events introducing Japanese and Vietnamese culture have been held in the provinces and cities of the two countries, giving many people the opportunity to enjoy the unique features of each other's culture, cuisine, and music.

The Crown Prince believes that Japan-Vietnam exchanges have developed sustainably over the years, and cooperation has become increasingly deep and extensive in many diverse fields such as economics, agriculture, environment, etc.

Crown Prince Akishino speaks at the ceremony.

The Crown Prince emphasized that the friendly relationship between the two countries has always been cemented over a long history thanks to the tireless efforts of the people of the two countries. The Crown Prince hoped that this visit would contribute to further strengthening mutual understanding and solidarity between the people of the two countries.

Chairman of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association To Huy Rua said that Vietnam and Japan have many similarities in culture and history, making the two nations not only closer together, but also blending and complementing each other.

The growth of the community of nearly 500,000 Vietnamese people in Japan and the community of nearly 30,000 Japanese people in Vietnam is a solid foundation for the development of relations between the two countries.

Mr. To Huy Rua reviewed the remarkable milestones over the past 50 years such as building Vietnam - Japan relations under the motto "Reliable and stable long-term partnership" (2022), upgrading to "Extensive strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia" (2014), and the Joint Statement on Vietnam - Japan strategic partnership (2009).

Mr. To Huy Rua believes that with the high determination of the leaders and the efforts of the people of the two countries, the Vietnam - Japan relationship will develop increasingly strongly and practically.

Art program to celebrate 50 years of Vietnam-Japan relations.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio shared that the relationship between the two countries is considered to be at its best ever.

Vietnam is the second most popular destination for Japanese businesses in the world when considering countries and territories for future business expansion. The Vietnamese community is the second largest foreign community in Japan. Vietnam also ranks second in the world in the number of international students in Japan.

The young generation of Japan and Vietnam are actively working as a link between the two countries in many different fields including information technology, high technology, business, and art.

The Ambassador expressed that the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations is not just a mere number, but when the next generation looks back, it will be considered a year that opens up opportunities for the two countries to further develop.

vietnamnet.vn