Vietnam and Japan promote people-to-people diplomacy
VOV.VN - National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man of Vietnam met with Ken Matsuzawa, president of the International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC) of Japan, in Tokyo on December 5 to discuss the promotion of people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries.
Man, who is on an official visit to Japan, thanked FEC for its positive contributions to cooperation in all areas between Vietnam and Japan in recent years, from politics, defense, security to economics, investment, trade, tourism, science - technology, education - training, and people-to-people exchanges.
He noted the contributions of nearly 600,000 Vietnamese expatriates living in Japan and over 23,000 Japanese residing in Vietnam to the socio-economic development of both sides, saying these communities also serve as bridges fostering deeper friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples.
He appreciated FEC’s efforts in organizing economic, educational, and cultural missions to Vietnam, promoting investment and trade, and supporting activities of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan.
The top legislator expressed his hope that FEC and Matsuzawa personally would continue to promote Vietnam-Japan relations, particularly by enhancing economic and investment ties. He encouraged Japanese enterprises to expand into new fields such as semiconductors, digital transformation, and green transformation in Vietnam.
Highlighting cultural similarities between the two countries, Man suggested that FEC continue fostering cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperate in organizing events in both countries so as to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World.
Matsuzawa for his part commended Vietnam’s significant role and position in politics, economics, and diplomacy both regionally and internationally.
Talking about FEC’s activities, Matsuzawa revealed that in March 2025 FEC would organize an economic mission to Vietnam, including member enterprises specializing in IT, economics, and energy.
He also praised Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu for his active and enthusiastic efforts in fostering bilateral relations.
Matsuzawa expressed his belief that Man’s visit would be a success, further deepening and strengthening the ties between Japan and Vietnam.
