“Vietnam is a major country in Southeast Asia. For Japan, Vietnam is a strategic partner for peace and stability in Asia,” Mr Ichikawa said on October 24. “Japan also highly appreciates Vietnam’s leading role as ASEAN President in 2010.”

Ichikawa said Japan’s new general defence plan affirms it will strengthen cooperation on security with ASEAN countries; therefore, Japan aims to take advantage of all opportunities to expand cooperation with Vietnam.

For his part, Minister Thanh said Vietnam-Japan ties are an important strategic partnership, and he hopes the two sides will openly exchange views on the Asia-Pacific situation and cooperate bilaterally in defence.

The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral defence cooperation after their meeting.