Celebration of the 64th Birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito

On the evening of February 23, the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam held a ceremony to celebrate the 64th birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito (February 23, 1960 - February 23, 2024).

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio attended the ceremony. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Attending the event were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang; Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam Yamada Takio; representatives of central ministries, departments and agencies; ambassadors of countries and international organizations in Vietnam; representatives of businesses and Japanese citizens living in Hanoi.

Ms. Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat, Head of the Central Organization Commission, Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians' Group sent a congratulatory message to the Ceremony. In the message, the Standing member of the Secretariat congratulated the important achievements of the Japanese people in recent years, making Japan a leading developed country in the world.

Expressing his delight at the strong, profound and comprehensive development of the Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation in recent times, the Standing Member of the Secretariat emphasized that in 2023, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries organized many meaningful activities, especially the upgrading of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

Standing member of the Secretariat Truong Thi Mai believes that with the efforts and determination of both sides, together with the attention and support of the Emperor and the Royal Family of Japan, and the broad support of the people of the two countries, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Japan will achieve new achievements, becoming more and more substantial and effective, meeting the interests and development of each country with the common goal of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks. Photo: VNA

At the ceremony, on behalf of the Government and People of Vietnam, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent the warmest congratulations to the Japanese Ambassador and his wife, and through the Ambassador, to the King, Queen, Royal Family, Government and people of Japan.

Minister Bui Thanh Son stated that Vietnam and Japan have just experienced an emotional year 2023 - the year of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations with the exchange of about 150 delegations of high-ranking leaders and ministries, branches, and localities at all levels of the two countries, and more than 500 large-scale and meaningful commemorative activities in both countries. 2023 is also a pivotal year opening a new chapter for Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation, with the two countries' senior leaders agreeing to upgrade bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the world.

According to the Minister, the Vietnam-Japan relationship is a typical example of the success of Vietnam's bilateral cooperation with its partners. Japan maintains its position as Vietnam's leading important partner as the largest ODA donor, the second largest partner in labor cooperation, the third largest partner in investment and tourism, and the fourth largest partner in trade. Cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, training, culture, people-to-people exchange, etc. has been promoted and developed very positively.

Local cooperation is a bright spot in bilateral relations, with more than 100 pairs of localities having cooperation agreements. The community of about 520,000 Vietnamese people in Japan is the second largest foreign community in Japan, along with more than 2,500 Japanese enterprises actively operating in Vietnam, contributing to the development of substantive and comprehensive relations between the two countries.

At international and regional forums such as the United Nations, regional cooperation mechanisms such as APEC, ASEM as well as ASEAN cooperation mechanisms, Vietnam and Japan cooperate closely, actively, and coordinate on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

The continuous strong development of Vietnam-Japan relations has become a bright spot in international relations, especially in the context of the region and the world facing many rapid and complex changes.

With the foundation and political trust, cultural similarities, and historical ties that have been built and nurtured, Minister Bui Thanh Son believes that the Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation relationship has been and is "hand in hand" entering a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries, with unlimited development potential.

The Minister affirmed that, on the basis of the new cooperation framework, with the spirit of ensuring equal interests of both sides, the leaders and people of the two countries are determined to strongly and more substantially develop the relationship between the two countries in traditional fields such as economics, politics, culture, education-training, labor, people-to-people exchange and cooperation between localities, while expanding to new important areas of cooperation, in line with the trend of the times such as emission reduction, semiconductor development, clean energy, digital transformation, green transformation, etc.; strengthen cooperation in international and regional issues, in forums, international organizations and cooperation mechanisms of which the two countries are members.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio speaks. Photo: VNA

According to Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio, Japan-Vietnam relations are currently developing at the best level in history.

Highlighting the significance of the two countries upgrading their bilateral relations to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World” in 2023, the Ambassador said that the close development of Japan-Vietnam relations today is not only for economic and political interests, but also based on “understanding and empathy” between the two countries.

Based on the historic achievements in 2023, Ambassador Yamada Takio believes that in 2024, the cooperative relationship between the two countries will have a remarkable development, bringing about cooperation content worthy of the name "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership".

Ambassador Yamada Takio said that according to the latest survey results of JETRO, Vietnam is the second most attractive investment destination for Japanese enterprises in the world, after the United States. In addition, nearly 60% of the total number of Japanese enterprises intend to expand their investment in Vietnam.

Along with traditional areas of cooperation, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio said that Japan and Vietnam can become each other's innovation partners in the context of increasing moves to promote investment, development, and human resource training in new fields.

At the Ceremony, delegates were treated to a performance of an excerpt from the opera “Princess Anio”.

On this occasion, the Embassy of Japan held a ceremony to award the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Japan Doan Xuan Hung.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/le-ky-niem-64-nam-ngay-sinh-cua-nha-vua-nhat-ban-naruhito-post797342.html

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chinh-tri/646051-le-ky-niem-64-nam-ngay-sinh-cua-nha-vua-nhat-ban-naruhito.html