Policy speech by General Secretary and President To Lat at Japan's National Diet

Konnichiwa,

Your Excellency Mr. Mori Eisuke, Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Your Excellency Mr. Sekiguchi Masakazu, President of the House of Councillors,

Distinguished Members of the National Diet of Japan,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am deeply honored to address the National Diet of Japan today, and I extend my sincere gratitude for this privilege. On behalf of the Party, State, and People of Viet Nam, I would like to convey to the National Diet, the Government, and the People of Japan our most respectful greetings, best wishes for health, and warmest sentiments of friendship.

It is a great pleasure to return to Japan for the first time in my new capacity, which offers me a deeper appreciation of the profound historical depth and enduring value of Viet Nam–Japan relations. More than five decades of diplomatic ties, built upon centuries of cultural exchanges, have forged a priceless foundation between our two nations.

From the Extensive Strategic Partnership established in 2014 to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World elevated in 2023, our bilateral relations have been continuously nurtured and robustly developed. High-level visits andcontacts across consecutive administrations demonstrate a seamless continuity of commitment and a steadily deepening consensus on the mutual benefits of our cooperation. I particularly treasure the broad, consistent support that political parties and generations of Japanese parliamentarians have extended toward our bilateral partnership.

In Viet Nam, our people witness the tangible presence of Japan and the fruitful outcomes of Viet Nam–Japan cooperation through landmark infrastructure projects—such as the Nhat Tan Bridge, Terminal 2 of Noi Bai International Airport, and Urban Railway Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City; through the Viet Nam–Japan University and the Viet Nam National Space Center; as well as through various cultural and consumer products in daily life. We profoundly appreciate the invaluable contributions made by the Government, the National Diet, the business community, experts, and the people of Japan to Viet Nam’s socio-economic development over the past many years.

Our friendship has also shone brightly through times of adversity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam provided medical face masks to support Japan, while Japan generously shared life-saving vaccines with Viet Nam. Furthermore, the Government, organizations, and people of Japan have consistently extended meaningful assistance to help Viet Nam address war legacies, support vulnerable groups, and respond to natural disasters—ranging from unexploded ordnance clearance, rehabilitation, and vocational training for Agent Orange victims, to medical programs and post-disaster relief. Viet Nam will forever remember and cherish this heart-felt solidarity from the Government and people of Japan.

In economic terms, Japan stands as Viet Nam’s largest ODA provider and one of our top partners in trade, investment, and labor cooperation. In 2025, the two-way trade surpassed US$50 billion for the first time, while Japan’s cumulative foreign direct investment in Viet Nam exceeded US$80 billion. Moreover, over 100 local-to-local cooperation agreements, coupled with a vibrant community of nearly 700,000 Vietnamese nationals residing in Japan, continue to solidify the strong social foundation connecting our two societies.

Grounded in this exceptional trust and friendship, Viet Nam wishes to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Japan on a new developmental journey so that the advancement of each nation creates expanded opportunities for the other, delivering practical benefits to our peoples while contributing to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

It is my hope that this visit will help define concrete steps toward achieving these objectives. In this long-term endeavor, the continued support and partnership of the National Diet of Japan will be of vital importance.

On the occasion of this official visit, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and I will issue a Joint Vision Statement for Viet Nam–Japan Relations: Partners in Co-creation and Mutual Benefit for High-Quality Growth, Strategic Autonomy, and Resilience, charting a path to elevate our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world is undergoing epochal transformations. Strategic competition, conflicts, and economic disruptions underscore the urgent necessity of safeguarding peace and consolidating trust. Simultaneously, climate change, energy security, and rapid technological advancement dictate that every nation must bolster its self-reliance while cultivating more effective cooperation with partners.

In this context, Viet Nam firmly adheres to the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, multilateralization and diversification; being a reliable friend and partner, and a responsible member of the international community. We advocate for the peaceful settlement of all disputes and differences based on international law, while respecting the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right of every nation to choose its own development path.

Following four decades of Doi Moi (Renovation), Viet Nam recognizes that past achievements must serve as the launching pad for a new, higher-quality phase of development. Our objective is to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income nation by 2045. Translating this vision into reality requires accelerating productivity, perfecting institutional frameworks, advancing human resource development, and safeguarding the environment.

We identify science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the primary engines driving this new phase of development. True self-reliance must be built upon robust internal capacities coupled with deep international integration and trusted partnerships. In this process, Japan occupies a position of vital importance.

In this spirit, I wish to share several major orientations for the future trajectory of our bilateral relations:

First, jointly forging new capacity for development rooted in knowledge, technology, and innovation.

The success of our future cooperation must be clearly reflected in enhanced capacities for research, design, governance, and commercialization. Viet Nam desires to work with Japan to build enduring linkages among policymakers, universities, research institutions, and enterprises—enabling innovative concepts to be tested, refined, and deployed into practical application.

Building on our agreed priorities, both sides should focus on accelerating cooperation in key fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital technology, space technology, marine technology, and green transition solutions. Each program should effectively bridge research with training, and align business demand with real-world challenges.

In artificial intelligence, we should promote practical applications in healthcare, education, manufacturing, and disaster management, while ensuring data privacy, safety, and access to technology for all citizens.

In the semiconductor industry, human resource development and corporate linkages should be pursued in a synchronized manner. Our priority should be expanding opportunities for engineers and researchers from both countries to collaborate, resolve technical challenges, and progressively integrate deeper into global value chains.

The Viet Nam–Japan University and academic/research institutions from both nations can play a pivotal role in this process. We encourage the exchange of students, lecturers, and scientists, and expanded internship opportunities within enterprises to transform knowledge into tangible productive and service capabilities.

I also place great emphasis on expanding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As Vietnamese enterprises raise their standards in quality, management, and compliance, Japanese businesses will gain additional trusted local partners. By jointly supporting supplier matching, management training, and intellectual property protection, we will deepen the economic integration between our two countries.

Second, enhancing resilience, adaptability, and promoting green and sustainable growth.

The stability of supply chains, energy supply, and logistics systems directly impacts business operations and public livelihoods. Viet Nam wishes to collaborate with Japan in establishing resilient, transparent, and diversified supply chains based on open cooperation and compliance with international commitments.

In the energy sector, we should balance energy security with the imperatives of green transition, tailored to the specific conditions and roadmaps of each country. Cooperation should center on energy efficiency, renewable energy development, grid and energy storage, and economically viable emission-reduction technologies.

Regarding critical minerals, building upon existing cooperation frameworks, Viet Nam seeks to partner with Japan in pursuing feasible projects that link resource development with deep processing, technology transfer, recycling, and workforce training. This cooperation must adhere to environmental protection, resource efficiency, and equitable benefit-sharing, thereby aiding Viet Nam in enhancing domestic industrial capacity and value addition, while contributing to stable, transparent, and sustainable regional supply chains.

Viet Nam wishes to continue maximizing the effectiveness of Japanese ODA, combining it with other financial resources to advance infrastructure development and enhance public service quality. We place high importance on capital efficiency, project execution timelines, transparency, and long-term operational sustainability. Every project must be evaluated by its concrete contribution to national development and public welfare.

At the regional level, Viet Nam looks forward to coordinating with Japan to defend the rules-based multilateral trading system, leverage the CPTPP, and deepen economic connectivity. As Viet Nam prepares to host APEC 2027, we welcome Japan’s collaboration in promoting substantive initiatives centered on growth, innovation, and participation by businesses and citizens in development opportunities.

Third, contributing jointly to a peaceful, stable, and cooperative regional environment.

Viet Nam appreciates Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s announcement of the updated directions for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision in Ha Noi in May this year. We support this Vision in synergy with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), anchored in international law, to preserve peace, advance cooperation and development in the region.

For Viet Nam, independence and self-reliance are intrinsically linked to proactive international integration. Achieving our 2045 development goals requires us to strengthen internal capabilities and foster innovation while expanding cooperation to integrate deeper into global value chains. We highly value Japan’s emphasis on national resilience and autonomy. These shared orientations open new opportunities for both countries to strengthen self-reliance, generate growth momentum, and adapt to external shocks.

These efforts should be aligned with the ASEAN Community building process. The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 aims for a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN. Viet Nam wishes to join hands with Japan to contribute to the fulfillment of this vision by reinforcing ASEAN solidarity, upholding ASEAN centrality, and strengthening intra-regional connectivity. A cohesive and strong ASEAN will provide a conducive environment for the development of each member state while opening long-term opportunities for cooperation with Japan.

ASEAN and Japan have reaffirmed shared fundamental principles regarding openness, transparency, inclusiveness, and respect for international law. We hope to translate these principles into concrete initiatives that address the priorities of ASEAN member states, utilizing ASEAN-led mechanisms effectively.

First and foremost, our two countries should work together to contribute to maintaining peace, security, and safety at sea. Unimpeded sea lanes are vital to regional trade and livelihoods. Viet Nam seeks enhanced cooperation with Japan in maritime law enforcement capacity building, search and rescue, and marine environmental protection, while promoting the peaceful resolution of differences on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In the Mekong sub-region, we wish to work with regional partners and Japan to advance programs that connect infrastructure development with sustainable water resource management and natural disaster response. Such projects should address the real needs of participating countries, safeguard livelihoods, and help narrow the development gap within ASEAN.

In this spirit, Viet Nam stands ready to work with Japan to proactively propose and execute cooperative endeavors that address shared regional priorities. We hope that each step forwardin Viet Nam–Japan relations will create expanded growth opportunities for both nations while contributing to consolidating a peaceful, open regional environment where all nations are respected and mutually benefit from cooperation.

We wish to collaborate with partners worldwide to ensure peace, stability, cooperation, security, fairness, and maritime freedom the Pacific and Indian Ocean, serving as a shared space for human survival and development.

Fourth, placing people at the center and deepening the bonds between our two societies.

The community of nearly 700,000 Vietnamese citizens in Japan constitutes a vital bridge in our bilateral relations. I encourage our community to strictly comply with local laws, respect Japanese culture, excel in their studies and work, and contribute meaningfully to Japanese society. I also respectfully request Japanese authorities, local governments, and enterprises to continue providing favorable conditions for their integration and development.

Labor cooperation should prioritize quality, skill acquisition, and long-term career development for workers. Both sides should maintain close coordination to ensure transparent recruitment, reasonable costs, protection of legitimate rights and interests, and timely dispute resolution.

On our part, Viet Nam will enhance the quality of pre-departure training and management, coordinate in addressing regulatory violations, and safeguard the legitimate rights of both workers and enterprises. We will also continue creating optimal conditions for the Japanese community in Viet Nam to live, work, invest, and integrate into our country.

I hope every Vietnamese learning and working in Japan gains professional growth, language proficiency, and industrial discipline, enabling them to apply their expertise, maintain networks, and participate in new cooperative projects upon returning home. We also warmly welcome an increasing number of Japanese students, experts, and young entrepreneurs to study, conduct research, work, and innovate in Viet Nam.

Local authorities, friendship organizations, and business associations play a vital role. Signed agreements should be translated into regular, concrete activities tailored to community needs. When citizens participate and experience tangible benefits, our friendship will be steadily nurtured in daily life.

Fifth, translating shared orientations into concrete results through the partnership of our two parliaments.

I respectfully suggest the National Diet of Japan and the National Assembly of Viet Nam continue supporting the aforementioned directions through legislative actions, oversight, and policy exchanges. Your sustained partnership is of practical significance for science, technology, and workforce training programs, as well as for protecting the legitimate rights of businesses and workers.

I hope to expand exchanges between parliamentary committees, Parliamentary Friendship Groups, young parliamentarians, and female legislators—sharing experiences on emerging development issues ranging from the digital economy to green transition and social policy. Through parliamentary dialogue, any operational difficulties arising from the implementation of bilateral agreements can be promptly reflected and addressed within our respective mandates.

To ensure our cooperation achieves substantive depth, agreed commitments must be implemented with consistency. Viet Nam will continue to refine its legal and institutional frameworks, improve governance quality, streamline administrative procedures, and upgrade infrastructure and human capital. We remain fully committed to maintaining a transparent, stable, and predictable investment environment, while safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of investors.

We actively listen to the concerns of enterprises and are resolved to address bottlenecks in a spirit of responsibility, legal compliance, and harmonious interest-sharing. Coordination between central and local agencies will be enhanced to ensure agreed matters are tracked through to tangible completion. Investor confidence is ultimately reinforced by the quality of execution.

I propose that relevant agencies of both countries regularly review the implementation of agreements, prioritize programs with adequate resources and high feasibility, and promptly resolve any arising obstacles.

Distinguished Parliamentarians,

I am firmly convinced that with the dedicated partnership of our Parliaments, Governments, and peoples, Viet Nam and Japan will continue to cultivate our friendship by concrete cooperative achievements. Together, we look toward a future where Viet Nam’s development opens new horizons for Japan, and Japan’s continued development contributes to Viet Nam’s success. The fruits of our partnership will be reflected in the improved well-being of our citizens and our joint contributions to peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

I wish all distinguished members of the National Diet good health and great success in your noble responsibilities.

May the friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and Japan flourish continuously.

Thank you very much./.

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