Japanese lawmaker envisions stronger Vietnam - Japan ties
Member of the Japanese House of Representatives Aoyagi Yoichiro has expressed belief that the Vietnam - Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, established in November 2023, will further deepen, with their legislative bodies playing an instrumental role.
In a recent conversation with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Tokyo, ahead of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s official visit to Japan from December 3 - 7, Aoyagi articulated that this partnership represents the highest level of Japan's diplomatic relations. It encompasses cooperation in not only economy but also politics, national defence - security, diplomacy, and culture.
He underscored the importance of increasing exchanges at all levels, from people-to-people and youth exchanges to engagements between the Governments, agencies and leaders, and that the two legislative bodies have been making significant contributions to the enhancement of ties in this direction.
The signing of various bilateral economic agreements and entry into multiple multilateral cooperation mechanisms like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), has been accompanied by a corresponding boost in both multilateral cooperation among regions and bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.
Looking ahead, Aoyagi suggested further improving investment environment in both countries, asserting that addressing this issue will contribute to advancing bilateral relationship and realising the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
He also called for raising mutual understanding between people of both countries via establishing more forums on culture, art and academics for the public, students and youth, thereby elevating bilateral relations to a new height.
In labour cooperation, Aoyagi stressed the need to create a favourable working environment and increase income for Vietnamese workers, as Japan is in great need of foreign labour.
In terms of educational cooperation, he suggested facilitating easier student exchanges and even establishing a scholarship mechanism to encourage studying abroad.
Japan believes that with the current important partnership in trade, official development assistance (ODA) and other areas, there is still untapped potential waiting to be explored, he said.
In the light of ongoing armed conflicts in many parts of the world, both Vietnam and Japan are confronted with numerous security challenges. Aoyagi was convinced that strengthening cooperation to tackle these issues, while promoting economic collaboration, will safeguard the well-being of their citizens.
As Japan has already signed security cooperation agreements with various countries, he hoped that Vietnam and Japan will soon reach similar cooperation deals. Such a partnership, he said, will not only benefit the two nations but also contribute to Asia and the world./
