Vietnam – Japan partnership more vital than ever: scholar
Vietnam – Japan cooperation could serve as a model for smaller countries striving for sustainable development without overreliance on external factors, a Japanese professor has said.
Professor Kurihara Hirohide from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Photo: VNA)
Tokyo (VNA) – Am🃏id rising global trade tensions driven by the US tariff policy, cooperation between Vietnam and Japan is becoming extremely important due ﷽to their many similarities, according to Professor Kurihara Hirohide from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Japan ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s official visit to Vietnam from April 27 to 29, Professor Kurihara said Vietnam and Japan are nations with limited natural resources and share a commitment to pursuing a foreign policy of independence and self-reliance.
In the current climate of global uncertainties, the bilateral relationship holds greater significance than ever. He suggested that Vietnam – Japan cooperation could serve as a model for smaller countries striving for sustainable development without overreliance on external factors.
Regarding PM Ishiba’s upcoming visit, the scholar viewed it as an important opportunity for both countries to explore new avenues of collaboration in a shifting global landscape. He emphasised that economic development, security, and green transformation are crucial areas in which the two countries can deepen their partnership.
On human resources development, Kurihara described the rising number of Vietnamese workers in Japan in recent years as a positive sign. However, he noted that Japan should improve how it utilises this source of manpower to maximise Vietnamese workers' potential. He said Vietnam offers a highly capable labour force, and that efficient use of this resource will bring great mutual benefits.
The professor also underlined Vietnam’s importance in Japan’s foreign policy towards Southeast Asia. He expressed confidence that Vietnam – Japan cooperation can serve as a testament to how two countries that are not major powers can pursue their own development paths effectively./.
Economic cooperation will be a central focus of the Japanese PM's coming visit, with both sides aiming to improve the investment environment, strengthen supply chain resilience, and expand market access.
After thorough consideration, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru decided to choose Vietnam as his first destination, as the Southeast Asian is a very important partner of Japan.
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s upcoming official visit to Vietnam is hoped to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to fostering bilateral cooperation in key areas such as security - defence, economy, and responses to regional and global challenges.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
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In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
