Upgrading Vietnam-Japan relations in line with historical trends

This marks an extremely important and meaningful event amid both nations celebrating 50 years of joint diplomatic ties.

​Regarding the significance of the major political event in a recent interview granted to a VOV correspondent in Japan, Asano Katsuhito, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Defence Deputy Minister of Japan, said this is the most suitable time for bilateral relations, adding that joint ties were formed long ago and have since recorded many positive historical milestones.

“Vietnam has also just upgraded its relations with the US, therefore, upgrading ties with Japan is obvious, consistent with the historical conditions of relations, corresponding to the interests of both sides. Vietnam is developing in many aspects, playing an increasingly important role in Southeast Asia,” he continued.

Japan is in the process of implementing a policy of prioritising development towards Southeast Asian countries. In addition, it also has a good relationship with Vietnam, with leaders of the two countries regularly making mutual visits for many years now.

The Japanese invitation to Vietnam to attend important international forums such as the G7 Summit and the G20 Conference as the host country will further contribute to the development of each country, as well as the peace and stability of the wider region.

​Concerning policies with Vietnam becoming a strategic partner, Katsuhito stated​ that the Japanese side has its own policies towards strategic partners like Vietnam.

During many periods, the Far East Asian nation has given priorities to ODA funding and infrastructure development support for Vietnam.

Other large-scale regional support projects have all involved in Vietnam too. In addition, Japan also attaches great importance to strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges with the Southeast Asian nation.

Japanese investors, especially small and medium-sized enterprises that have been present in the Vietnamese market for decades, are currently expanding their operations. In the near future the Japanese side needs to expand and strengthen traditional areas of co-operation, quickly helping their Vietnamese partners to digitally transform, as well as to conduct transfer technology in some areas.

“Vietnam, as a dynamic country with abundant resources, needs to fine-tune stricter, more international policies to fit the development roadmap of the world and Japan. I think at some stage, Vietnam will also develop like Japan,” the Japanese official outlined.

Discussing what both nations should share for the cause of common development amid all countries encountering certain difficulties in their development path, Katsuhito said Japan is lacking human resources for development, while for many years Vietnam has provided the Far East nation with young and high-quality human resources.

“On the contrary, Japan became a rich country earlier than Vietnam, so it also has a shared responsibility not only for Vietnam but also for other nations, because currently the development of a certain country must be linked to the common development of other countries,” he emphasized.

“For example, as far as I know, the Vietnamese software company FPT is operating with hundreds of people working in Japanese businesses, banks, and agencies. We are grateful for that. Although Vietnamese investment in Japan is still modest, Vietnamese tourists coming to Japan are increasingly crowded. Vietnam is also contributing to our development,” he added.