Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s participation in the coronation ceremony of Japanese Emperor Naruhito affirms Vietnam's determination and wish to build a fine relationship with the new Emperor and the Japanese Royal Family.
Japan's Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne on May 1, 2019, opening the Reiwa era. Japan's Emperor is the noble symbol of the country and the unity of the entire people. The coronation ceremony of the new Emperor marks an event of special significance for this Asian nation. The Vietnamese people sincerely congratulate the Japanese leaders and people on their great achievements in the cause of national construction and development. With the determination and strong will of the people, Japan has risen from the ashes of the war, gradually becoming one of the leading developed countries in the world, and always acts as an active member at international forums. In recent times, the political situation in the “Land of the Rising Sun” has been stable. The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party has maintained the government foundation by winning the Japanese House of Councillors election. Japanese Prime Minister S. Abe carried out government reform, prioritised economic development, and successfully organised the G20 Summit in June 2019, thereby enhancing Japan’s role, prestige and position in the international arena. Regarding foreign affairs, Japan is adjusting its foreign policy towards being more proactive in promoting its leading role in the region, especially focusing on promoting economic links, free trade and maritime security.
Vietnam and Japan have time-honoured cultural and trade exchanges. Relations between the two countries are currently developing in a positive and comprehensive manner, with high political trust. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan have been cultivated and developed by generations of leaders and people of the two countries. The Japanese Royal family has always supported the close cooperation and friendship between Japan and Vietnam, helping to enhance trust and cohesion and to promote solidarity and mutual understanding between the two peoples.
In 2014, Vietnam and Japan upgraded ties to the level of extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia, opening a beautiful new chapter in the history of the bilateral relations. The leaders of the two countries regularly conduct visits and meetings at international and regional forums. Vietnam and Japan also attach importance to maintaining important cooperation mechanisms, such as the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee, co-chaired by the two Foreign Ministers; and the Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership Dialogue on foreign affairs - security - defence. Japan has cooperated effectively with Vietnam in many multilateral forums and international organisations.
We are pleased to see that economic and trade cooperation is a bright spot in relations between Vietnam and Japan. Japan was also among the first nations in G7 to recognise Vietnam as a market economy and is the biggest provider of official development assistance, the second largest investor in Vietnam and the fourth largest trading partner of Vietnam. Total import and export revenue in the first nine months of 2019 reached US$29.16 billion, up 5.6% over the same period in 2018. Regarding direct investment, as of September 1919, Japan had 4,291 FDI projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of US$60.36 billion. Agricultural cooperation between the two countries has achieved a breakthrough. The two sides signed a medium-to long-term vision for agricultural cooperation. Additionally, cooperation in climate change adaption, labour, education, tourism, as well as cooperation between localities of the two countries recorded many positive results. Currently, the Vietnamese community in Japan consists of about 330,000 people, living in harmony with the host society and acting as a solid friendship bridge for bilateral relations.
The Vietnamese people firmly believe that, entering the era of Reiwa, Japan will continue to grow strongly and prosperously, reaping many more important achievements. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to attend the coronation ceremony of the Japanese Emperor marks a new milestone in the relationship between the two countries, affirming Vietnam's wish to promote fine relations with the Japanese Royal Family while at the same time creating an impetus to foster the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.
