Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru visits Vietnam: Emphasizing priorities in Japan's foreign policy

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru - Photo: REUTERS

On April 23, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and his wife will pay an official visit to Vietnam from April 27 to 29.

Earlier the same day, the Japanese Prime Minister's Office announced that Mr. Ishiba Shigeru will pay a 4-day visit to Vietnam and the Philippines, starting from April 27. Thus, the Japanese leader will be in Vietnam for 3 days, accounting for 3/4 of the time of the working trip.

"One of Japan's top diplomatic priorities is to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia, a major global growth engine and a strategically important region," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said, adding that Prime Minister Ishiba wants to strengthen economic and security cooperation with the region.

“We will actively pursue high-level diplomacy to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific based on rules,” Hayashi added.

In a closed-door meeting with the Vietnamese press on April 23, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki said the purpose of Prime Minister Ishiba's visit this time is to further strengthen relations with Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.

He explained that normally the Japanese Diet will have a long session in May and June, so there is only one week during this period to make an overseas trip. This time, Prime Minister Ishiba decided to visit Vietnam and the Philippines, thereby showing the strategic importance of the two countries to Japan.

Vietnam in particular, according to Ambassador Ito, is a top priority in Japan's foreign policy. The visit not only strengthens the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries but also establishes personal relations between Prime Minister Ishiba and Vietnamese leaders.

As head of the Japanese Government, Mr. Ishiba had the opportunity to meet President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, but he has never met General Secretary To Lam.

Therefore, according to Ambassador Ito, this visit will be an opportunity for the Japanese leader to build and nurture relations with General Secretary To Lam and other senior leaders.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki at a press conference on April 23 - Photo: DUY LINH

Through Prime Minister Ishiba's visit, Japan wants to promote Vietnam's priority areas including digital transformation, green transformation, semiconductors, and human resource training.

The visit took place in the context of bilateral relations developing very well, considered the best after more than 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations.

Japan’s total cumulative investment in Vietnam is $77.7 billion, according to the Japanese Embassy. Bilateral trade turnover is on track to reach nearly $50 billion, up 1.8 times over the past 10 years.

"I believe that this is a period that brings opportunities for Japan to further strengthen and expand relations with Vietnam, contributing to peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

The visit aims to affirm that in the coming period, as Vietnam moves towards a new era, Japan wishes to continue to be Vietnam's most important and best partner," Ambassador Ito expressed.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-tuong-ishiba-shigeru-tham-viet-nam-nhan-manh-uu-tien-trong-chinh-sach-ngoai-giao-cua-nhat-ban-20250423205039478.htm#content-1