Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) received his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc in the latter's visit to Japan in 2016 (Source: VNA)The two-day visit, beginning on January 16, was made at the invitation ofVietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. It took place in the context that theVietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership has developed comprehensively.
Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic ties in 1973. Thetwo countries upgraded relations to a strategic partnership in 2009, and to anextensive strategic partnership in 2014.
In recent years, high-ranking visits and meetings of the two countries’ seniorofficials were maintained regularly, many of which took place on the sidelinesof regional and international forums.
The two sides set up several dialogue mechanisms including: the Vietnam-JapanCooperation Committee, the Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership Dialogue forforeign affairs – security- defence at the deputy foreign ministerial-level ; theVietnam-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue at the deputy ministerial-level; theVietnam-Japan Security Dialogue at the deputy ministerial-level.
They have also supported each other at multilateral forums such as the UnitedNations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Asia-EuropeMeeting, among others.
Regarding East Sea-related issues, Japan has highlighted the need to ensuresecurity, safety, and aviation and navigation freedom in the sea. The country hasespoused the view that all disputes inthe East Sea should be solved via peacefulmeans without using force, in line withinternational law, and the 1982 UN Conventionon the Law of the Sea and on the basis of respect for the Declaration on theConduct of Parties in the East Sea. Japan also urged for the early adoption of aCode of Conduct in the East Sea.
Japan has become one of Vietnam’s leading economic partners.It was the first G7 member country to recognise Vietnam’s market economy.
The two sides signed an investment agreement in 2004 and theVietnam-Japan economic partnership agreement in 2007, facilitating economic andtrade links between the two nations.
Japan is also supporting Vietnam in developing industries under theVietnam-Japan cooperation framework.
Japan is now the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam, with two-way tradehitting over 28.5 billion USD in 2015 (up 3.3 percent against2014) and about 26.8 billion USD in the first 11 months of 2016.
The country ranks second among 112 countries and territoriesworldwide investing in Vietnam, with 3,242 direct investment projects worthover 42 billion USD as of November 20, 2016.
Japan remains the largest provider of official developmentassistance (ODA) for Vietnam, making up about 30 percent of total ODA committedto the Southeast Asian country. From 1992 to March 31, 2016, Japan committedabout 29.5 billion USD for Vietnam. In the 2015 fiscal year, Japan pledged toprovide Vietnam with 2.5 billion USD in ODA – the highest amount ever.
In the State visit to Japan by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in2015, the two sides signed a “Medium and long-term vision on agricultural cooperation”.
Vietnam and Japan also recorded stronger connections in fightingclimate change as Japan has provided ODAfor Vietnam’s climate change adaptation projects. Japanese Prime MinisterShinzo Abe stated that Japan will grantnon-refundable assistance worth 2.5 million USD to Vietnam to tackle salineintrusion and drought.
In labour cooperation, over 45,000 Vietnamese guest workers and trainees workin Japan, mainly in industry and agriculture. The two sides agreed that Japan willreceive Vietnamese health-care givers and nurses to work in the country.
Japan is one of the largest providers of non-refundable aidfor Vietnam’s education sector and the two sides inked many cooperationagreements in this field. As of April 2016, nearly 39,000 Vietnamese students studiedin Japan. Japan is helping Vietnam train high-quality human resources insci-technology, management and service, and arranged Japanese-language teachingin high schools in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
In 2016, about 740,592 Japanese tourists visited Vietnam, up 10.3 percentagainst 2014, while the number of Vietnamese visitors to Japan reached 220,700in the first 11 months of 2016.
Links between localities of the two countries have been enhanced as well. Manypairs of localities signed cooperation including Ho Chi Minh City-Yokohama; DaNang- Sakai; Hanoi-Fukuoka; Da Nang- Yokohama; Dong Nai-Hyogo; Ba Ria-Vung Tauand Kawasaki; Phu Tho-Nara, Thua Thien-Hue and Kyoto; Hai Phong- Niigata, amongothers.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit shows Japan’s respect for bilateral ties andan affirmation that Vietnam considers Japan an important and long-term partner.
Through the visit, the two countries look to foster ties in various fields fromtrade, investment, ODA, agriculture, education, human resources training,climate change adaptation to labour,defence, security and cooperation among localities.-VNA
VNA
