Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, chairwoman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group, and Japanese Crown Prince Akishino attended the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan relations on the evening of September 21. Photo: Quang Phuc

Friendly and cooperative relations

Speaking at the ceremony, Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, and chairwoman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group mentioned the history of people-to-people exchanges spanning more than 13 centuries since the 8th century, a half-century of cooperation and mutual development since the official establishment of diplomatic relations. (September 21, 1973-September 21, 2023).

Vietnam and Japan joined hands to cultivate a practical and effective friendship and cooperation relationship with the foundation of cultural similarities, strong bonds, and high political trust.

Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, and chairwoman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group spoke at the celebration. Photo: Thu Ha

Japan is Vietnam’s leading economic, trade, investment and tourism partner. The two countries are important partners of each other in the region and the world.

Cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, culture, local, and people-to-people exchanges has been strongly promoted and achieved positive results.

The expansion in both scale and quantity of Vietnamese and Japanese festivals as well as cultural exchange activities taking place regularly in localities of the two countries brought Vietnamese and Japanese people together.

The growth of the Vietnamese community in Japan and the Japanese community in Vietnam in recent years positively contributed to the socio-economic development of each country.

It is also a bridge to help strengthen understanding and attachment between the two peoples and is an important foundation to promote sustainable, long-term friendship and cooperation between the two countries

Crown Prince Akishino spoke at the event. Photo: Thu Ha

At the ceremony, Crown Prince Akishino affirmed that the friendship between Vietnam and Japan has been cultivated over a long history, spanning 50 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

Exchange activities between the two countries take place regularly, especially activities between the young generation of the two countries, most notably international students.

Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association To Huy Rua reviewed important milestones in the two countries’ relationship. Photo: Thu Ha

On behalf of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association, Chairman To Huy Rua said that Vietnam and Japan have many similarities in culture and history.

The growth of the community of nearly 500,000 Vietnamese people in Japan and the community of nearly 30,000 Japanese people in Vietnam is a sustainable foundation for the development of relations between Vietnam and Japan.

He affirmed that the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association will organize more people-to-people and cultural exchange activities to promote the friendship between the organizations, localities and people of the two countries.

To Huy Rua believed that, based on the solid foundation built over the past 50 years and the great achievements in all fields of cooperation, Vietnam-Japan relations will grow stronger, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio affirmed that Japan-Vietnam relations in all fields, including politics, economics, and culture, are considered to be at the best stage ever.

The Ambassador said that Vietnam is the second most popular destination for Japanese businesses in the world after the United States when considering countries and territories for future business expansion. The Vietnamese community is the second largest foreign community in Japan. Vietnam also ranks second in the world in the number of international students in Japan.

The young generation of Japan and Vietnam plays a role in connecting the two countries in many different fields, including information technology, high technology, business, and art.

The Ambassador expressed his belief that the year commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries will be considered a year that opens up opportunities for the two countries’ relationship.