Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Japan for ASEAN-Japan Summit

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-level delegation arrived at Haneda International Airport in Japan's capital Tokyo this afternoon (December 15) to attend the Commemorative Summit marking the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu (right) welcomes Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport on December 15. Photo: VGP

During the trip, which is being made at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister Chinh and Vietnamese officials will also participate in a series of bilateral activities.

The summit is scheduled for December 17. According to Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio, Japan and ASEAN have remained important partners for each other over the past five decades.

He said the two sides have provided great support to each other during challenging times, including the global Covid-19 pandemic and the tsunami and earthquake that hit eastern Japan in 2011.

He expected the summit to be an opportunity for ASEAN member states  and Japan to work out feasible solutions to promote their relationship.

The delegation includes Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang, Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung, Deputy Minister of Defense Pham Hoai Nam, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, and local government leaders.

After 50 years, ASEAN-Japan relations have developed significantly in all fields, from politics, security, economic-trade-investment, to social and cultural exchanges.

Japan has remained an important partner of the Southeast Asian community, supporting the unity of ASEAN and its role as an emerging center.

Economic relations between ASEAN and Japan have been fleshed out through several agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP).

Japan has also been one of the most active partners in helping member states implement the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and narrow the development gap in the region.

In 2022, Japan was ASEAN's fourth largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly US$270 billion. The East Asian economy was the second largest foreign investor in the region, with FDI capital amounting to nearly US$27 billion, up 28% from the previous year.

Amid global uncertainties, ASEAN and Japan hope to strengthen their cooperation and build a better partnership to address common concerns and grow together.

The summit is an opportunity for the leaders of ASEAN and Japan to review their cooperation and discuss possible ways to improve the future performance of their relationship.

Vietnam, as a member of ASEAN, has remained a positive link between the region and Japan. In 2018-2021, Vietnam was the coordinator who promoted the relationship between ASEAN and the East Asian country.

Among ASEAN member states, Vietnam has a long-term partnership with Japan that has been steadily strengthened over the past 50 years. The two countries have exchanged visits of high-level state officials.

In late November, President Vo Van Thuong and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio agreed to upgrade Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world".

Impact of young generations

Young people paint the big picture of thriving Vietnam-Japan   relations, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang said this week.

"We are proud to see that young generations have made great contributions to advancing ASEAN-Japan relations over the past five decades," Quang said at an event this week.

"Activities and exchanges between Japanese and Southeast Asian youth have strengthened ties and paved the way for the growth of our relations," he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister hoped that young people will come up with initiatives and ideas to realize joint projects between ASEAN and Japan, thus maximizing their energy, creativity and desire for change.

He also said that the efforts of young generations will leverage the strategic relationship between ASEAN and Japan, and push governments and people toward sustainable development for peace and prosperity.

Quang's remarks were made at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN-Japan Youth Festival 2023 at Bach Dang Wharf Park in Ho Chi Minh City on December 13.

The festival is one of the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations (1973-2023).

The festival   features numerous activities, including a photo exhibition on ASEAN-Japan youth cooperation, a trip to the Hung Kings Monument, and visits to local relics.