Prime Minister meets former Japanese Prime Minister Suga

Prime Minister Pham expressed sincere thanks to Suga for his great affection and contributions to the advancement of the Viet Nam-Japan relations, including donation of more than 7.4 million vaccine doses to Viet Nam during the fight against COVID-19.

Pham called on Suga to continue his efforts in concretizing the Viet Nam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership established on the occasion of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong's official visit to Japan last November.

He suggested Suga help boost new-generation official development assistance with more preferential terms to Viet Nam, and facilitate the relaxation of visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens entering Japan.

Suga, who is now Chairman of the Japan-Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, recalled his impressions during his first foreign tour to Viet Nam in his capacity as Prime Minister of Japan.

Suga welcomed the two countries' elevation of the status of their ties to comprehensive strategic partnership, which together with Pham's ongoing tour, would open up a new chapter in the sides' relations.

He spoke highly of the Vietnamese community in Japan as they have played an increasingly important role for socio-economic development in his country.

Suga pledged to continue efforts to further tighten the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in such fields like trade, investment, and labor cooperation.