Talking with the press, Naoki said within a decade, the upgrade of the bilateral relationship from the "Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia" to the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World” in 2023 reflected a shared commitment to a better world and addressing common issues.
This advancement also demonstrated that Vietnam's role and position in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the world have been improved. With a growing economy, the country has become a trusted partner of many nations worldwide, he added.
Highlighting Vietnam's importance as a partner in Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, Naoki stressed the need to expand cooperation beyond its current scope and defined national security, politics, trade and investment as areas for further collaboration.
While trade and investment are already robust, significant potential remains for even greater partnerships between the two governments and businesses of Vietnam and Japan, he noted.
Regarding official development assistance (ODA), he wished to revitalise it by leveraging Japanese technology and expertise in infrastructure development and exploring new areas like digital transformation, green transition, health care and education.
Underlining large-scale projects valued at over 30 billion USD agreed upon during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Japan last December, the diplomat pledged to focus his efforts on facilitating the progress of these projects, which will be funded through a combination of private investment and ODA aid.
Pointing to ongoing cooperation in semiconductor workforce training, he envisioned a programme where Vietnamese skilled workers could hone their skills in Japan's advanced semiconductor sector before returning to contribute to Vietnam's own growth in this critical industry.
The recent launch of the Japan-Vietnam Joint Initiative in the New Era, focusing on innovation, digital transformation and high-tech training, was cited by Naoki as another promising area. He expressed his confidence that Vietnamese and Japanese government agencies will work together to develop high-quality workforce training programmes in the near future.
In his view, further promoting cultural, academic, and people-to-people exchanges based on the successes of the past 50 years of diplomatic ties is also crucial.
He concluded by expressing his desire for the Japanese Embassy in Hanoi to be an open and welcoming space for Vietnamese citizens, with its cultural information centre serving as a clear example of an open embassy.
