Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Komura Masahiro, member of theHouse of Representatives and Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan,in Hanoi on March 12.

Lauding the great progress of the Vietnam - Japan friendshipand cooperation in various fields, Minister Sonnoted that Japan remains a partner of leading importance of Vietnam. It ranksfirst in terms of official development assistance (ODA) provision, second inlabour cooperation, third in investment and tourism cooperation, and fourthamong trading partners of Vietnam.

He said 2023 was a particularlysuccessful year of the Vietnam - Japan relations as it saw the elevation of theirties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which created an important basisfor bilateral relations in the next 50 years, along with mutual visits by nearly 200delegations at all levels, and more than 500 activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He asked Komura and the Japanese Ministry ofForeign Affairs to work closely with the Vietnamese side to promote theimplementation of the newly established comprehensive strategic partnership andthe agreements reached between the countries’ leaders; increase exchanges atall levels and between their Parties, States, and parliaments; and reactivateand step up cooperation mechanisms between ministries and sectors of thecountries.

The host official called on Japan to continue assistingVietnam to build an independent and self-reliant economy, and providenew-generation ODA for large-scaled strategic infrastructure development,climate change response, digital transformation, and healthcare projects.

Vietnam is pushing ahead with the establishment of aGovernment working group to accelerate investment cooperation and ODA projectsbetween the two countries, he announced.

The ForeignMinister also asked for boosting people-to-people exchanges, a foundation forsustainable relations, through strengthened cooperation in culture, tourism,labour, and human resources training.

For his part, Komura pledged close coordinationwith the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to successfully organise high-levelmutual visits in the coming time.

Japanesebusinesses are highly interested in expanding investment in Vietnam, he said,proposing the Vietnamese Government continue to further improve theinvestment climate and roll out partnerships in new areas likedigital transformation, green transition, and cooperation within the Asia ZeroEmission Community (AZEC) framework.

At the meeting, the two sides also touched uponsome regional and international issues. They affirmed that Vietnam and Japan willcontinue supporting each other at multilateral forums and international organisationswhile enhancing coordination, stance sharing, and cooperation in issues ofcommon concern./.