PM leaves for Japan to attend ASEAN-Japan summit

The trip, taking place from Dec. 15-18, is made at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Over the past five decades, the relations between ASEAN and Japan have developed comprehensively across politics, security, economy, and culture.

Economic and investment cooperation between the two sides has been carried out through various mechanisms and frameworks, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP).

Last year, Japan was the fourth largest trade partner of ASEAN with a two-way trade value of US$268.5 billion. It was ASEAN’s fourth largest source of foreign direct investment with inflows amounting to $26.7 billion.

Amid unprecedented headwinds across the globe, both sides, based on their sound relations, want to bolster cooperation and connectivity in response to the common challenges for development.

The Commemorative Summit was organized right after ASEAN and Japan set up their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, allowing leaders of both sides to review their cooperation outcomes, and define orientations to develop the ties in the new stage, making it on par with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.

The Vietnam-Japan relations have enjoyed strong and comprehensive development in all areas, with strong political trust and enhanced exchanges of delegations at all levels.

The two nations mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2023. During President Vo Van Thuong’s visit to Japan in November, the nations upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the world.