Vietnam Deputy PM Holds High-Level Meetings in Japan to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

Tokyo, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Lê Tiến Châu held a series of high-level meetings with Japanese government leaders, lawmakers, officials, academics, and members of the Vietnamese community during his visit to Japan from June 8 to 10, where he attended the 31st Future of Asia Conference in Tokyo.

During a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on Wednesday, Châu described Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s official visit to Vietnam in early May as an important milestone that would help further deepen bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Japan’s longstanding support and significant contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, while also backing Japan’s growing role in regional and global affairs through initiatives related to digital transformation and energy security.

Châu called for the effective implementation of agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders, particularly the outcomes of Prime Minister Takaichi’s recent visit to Vietnam. He proposed strengthening political trust, enhancing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Vietnam–Japan Cooperation Committee, and coordinating efforts to successfully organize the second Vietnam–Japan Local Cooperation Forum in Huế this September.

He also urged closer coordination in simplifying entry procedures for Vietnamese citizens, supporting the shared goal of doubling tourist arrivals between the two countries.

For his part, Foreign Minister Motegi reaffirmed Japan’s recognition of Vietnam’s important role in advancing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. He pledged continued cooperation in implementing high-level agreements through expanded exchanges, people-to-people ties, economic projects, including the Vietnam Japan University, and strengthened consular cooperation.

The Japanese minister also expressed hope for continued coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern and indicated his intention to visit Vietnam at the earliest opportunity.

During a working session with the Japan–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, Châu met former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, alliance chairperson Yuko Obuchi, and other members. He expressed hope that the alliance would continue supporting efforts to translate high-level agreements into concrete initiatives, particularly in emerging fields such as digital and green transformation, artificial intelligence, semiconductor workforce development, and flagship projects such as the Vietnam Japan University.

Former Prime Minister Kishida welcomed the growing partnership and voiced confidence that enhanced bilateral cooperation would contribute to addressing regional energy security challenges.

On Tuesday, Châu met Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Matsumoto Yohei, praising the ministry’s contributions to bilateral cooperation in education, science, technology, innovation, and human resource development.

Matsumoto reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to implementing agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and scientific and technological cooperation.

The Deputy Prime Minister also met Matsuzawa Ken, President of Japan’s International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC), thanking the organization for its longstanding support in promoting bilateral relations. Matsuzawa reaffirmed the council’s commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

In a separate meeting with Miyazaki Katsura, Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Châu praised the agency’s significant contributions to Vietnam’s development over the past three decades. Miyazaki pledged to expand cooperation in high-quality human resource development, science and technology, digital and green transformation, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and energy projects.

On Monday, Châu met Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi Hiroshi, highlighting institutional reform as one of Vietnam’s three strategic breakthroughs and a key area of cooperation with Japan. He thanked the Japanese government for nearly 30 years of practical support and commended the close collaboration between the two countries’ justice ministries.

Hiraguchi expressed a desire to deepen cooperation in legal system development, legal compliance, public security, and social order. He also pledged support for the successful organization of the ASEAN–Japan Law Forum in Vietnam in August 2026 and backed efforts to expedite the signing of a bilateral consular notification agreement.

On the sidelines of his visit, Châu met Thai Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, with both sides welcoming the positive outcomes of recent high-level exchanges between Vietnam and Thailand. The two officials agreed to enhance cooperation in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital and green transformation, while strengthening collaboration in workforce development, language education, local partnerships, culture, and tourism.

During his stay in Japan, Châu also met the Governor of Gunma Prefecture and visited the Shibaura Institute of Technology, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), and FPT Japan Holdings. He additionally held discussions with Vietnamese scientists and young professionals working in Japan.

The visit underscored the growing strength of Vietnam–Japan relations and both countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation across a broad range of strategic sectors amid evolving regional and global challenges.