Japanese Prime Minister praises Viet Nam's proactive foreign policy
VGP – Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae praised Viet Nam for upholding strategic autonomy and pursuing active and proactive foreign policy amid complex global landscape.
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae co-chairs the press briefing following her summit meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Ha Noi, May 2, 2026. Photo: VGP
Speaking at a joint press briefing in Ha Noi on Saturday, Takaichi showed her impression on Viet Nam's impressive growth pace, saying Viet Nam is a key link in Japan's supply chain as many Japanese investors have expanded investment in the Southeast Asian nation.
Expanding cooperation with Viet Nam is of significant importance for Japan to realize the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, said the Japanese Prime Minister, adding that this is the reason behind her ongoing three-day visit to Viet Nam.
During the visit, Takaichi will deliver a policy speech to share her insight into the future of Viet Nam-Japan cooperation as well as Japan's vision on the FOIP strategy.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae co-chair the press briefing in Ha Noi, May 2, 2026. Photo: VGP
Briefing the reporters on the outcomes of his summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said both sides have agreed on major orientations to advance the Viet Nam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership to a new development stage.
First of all, the two sides agreed to continue consolidating political trust on the basis of expanding substantive cooperation in defense, security and foreign affairs.
The two countries will continue to effectively implement the ministerial-level cooperation mechanisms on foreign affairs, trade, industry and energy, science and technology as well as defense and security cooperation agreements.
The two countries will intensify cooperation to enhance maritime law enforcement capacity and overcome war legacy.
Both sides wiil collaborate in the fields of cybersecurity, United Nations peacekeeping operation, and transnational crime combat.
Second, both sides committed to bolstering economic cooperation, including economic security, energy security, and sustainable agriculture development.
The sides agreed on major measures to soon raise Japan's investment in Viet Nam to US$5 billion per year and bilteral trade volume to US$60 billion by 2030.
Third, both sides are determined to concretize cooperation in science, technology, green transition, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors; give priority to high-quality human resource training; promote joint research and development projects in the fields of semiconductor, artificial intelligence, space technology.
Both sides agreed to coordinate in organizing the meeting of the Joint Commission on science and technology cooperation in 2026.
Fourth, the two sides committed to reinforcing manpower connectivity and people-to-people exchanges through local-to-local, labor, healthcare, cultural and tourism cooperation.
Both sides agreed to organize the second Viet Nam-Japan local-to-local cooperation forum in Viet Nam this year.
Fifth, both sides pledged to continue close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums and over isues of shared interest.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures, on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Vietnamese side voiced support for Japan's regional initiatives, including the FOIP, on the basis of aligning with ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, abiding by international law, and making positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world./.
