Việt Nam, Japan holds foreign ministerial cooperation meeting

Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and his Japanese counterpart Kamikawa Yoko co-chaired the 12th meeting of the Việt Nam-Japan Cooperation Committee in Tokyo. Photo baoquocte.vn

TOKYO – Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and his Japanese counterpart Kamikawa Yoko co-chaired the 12th meeting of the Việt Nam-Japan Cooperation Committee in Tokyo on Wednesday discussing a number of issues including human training in key industrial sectors, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Sơn paid an official visit to Japan from August 7-10 at the invitation of Japanese foreign minister Kamikawa Yoko.

At the meeting, the two sides reviewed the results achieved since the 11th Cooperation Committee meeting and discussed measures to concretise the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World, which was established in 2023.

The leaders highly appreciated the re-launch of the Việt Nam-Japan Cooperation Committee mechanism after a five-year interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting on Wednesday was the first after the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, increasing political trust and strong development in all areas of bilateral relations.

The ministers agreed to further strengthen the connection between the two economies through promoting cooperation in Official Development Assistance (ODA), investment, trade and labour.

Minister Sơn proposed Japan continue to provide new-generation ODA with high incentives, simpler and more flexible procedures for Việt Nam in digital transformation, green transformation, climate change response, healthcare and large-scale key infrastructure development.

Minister Kamikawa Yoko affirmed that Japan wishes to support Việt Nam in building an independent and self-reliant economy, implementing industrialisation and modernisation, and achieving the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045.

She said Japanese enterprises are interested in and consider Việt Nam as an attractive investment destination to diversify the supply chain.

The two sides welcomed and affirmed that they would continue to closely coordinate to effectively implement the first phase of the Việt Nam-Japan Joint Initiative to ensure that efficient and sustainable activities of Japanese investors in Việt Nam.

They also look forwards to extending market opening for fruits, including Vietnamese grapefruits and Japanese grapes.

The two sides agreed to expand comprehensive cooperation to new areas including digital transformation, innovation, information technology, digital society through practical and specific initiatives and projects.

Minister Kamikawa Yoko emphasised that Japan wishes to cooperate with Việt Nam in sustainable development, emission reduction and environment through initiatives such as the Asian Zero Emission Community (AZEC).

Minister Sơn proposed Japan continue to simplify procedures and move towards visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens entering Japan.

Appreciating the positive contributions of the community of nearly 570,000 Vietnamese people to Japan’s socio-economic development, Minister Kamikawa Yoko introduced Japan’s new labour policy issued in June 2024, which offer more preferential regimes for foreign workers, including those from Việt Nam.

She affirmed the Japanese government will continue to create a more favourable and attractive environment for Vietnamese workers.

The Japanese Foreign Minister affirmed Việt Nam is an important partner in implementing Japan’s foreign policy towards the region.

Japan will support Việt Nam to successfully participate in the EXPO 2025 Osaka.

At the meeting, the two ministers also exchanged opinions on international and regional issues of mutual concern. They agreed to strengthen coordination and exchange of viewpoints at international and regional forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, APEC, and OECD.

On this occasion, Minister Sơn invited Minister Kamikawa Yoko to attend the fourth Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) summit and the ASEAN Future Forum to be held in Việt Nam in 2025. VNS