In recent years, the bilateral cooperation relation between Vietnam and Japan has had remarkable achievements. The ties in economics, politics, cultural exchange and other fields have been constantly expanded. The mutual understanding between the two peoples has continuously been enhanced. The both sides have officially announced strategic partners of each other. The development of relationship with Japan is one of the Vietnam government's highest priorities in foreign policy.
Regarding political relation:
Since the establishment of strategic partnership on April 2004, the Vietnam-Japan relation has achieved spectacular development. So far, the two sides have signed many important agreements in all fields. The cooperation and friendship relations have been continuously strengthened. Japan supports Vietnam’s renovation and open policy, and Vietnam’s regional and global integration through international organizations such as APEC, WTO, ASEM, ARF, and in important international forums.
From November 2011 to April 2012, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited Japan twice and had nice talks with Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko, marking the mutual understanding and agreement on issues of mutual concern. Especially, during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Vietnam in January 2013, the two sides agreed to elevate the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan to a new high and named the year 2013 as “Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year”. The visit has opened up a new period of development in Vietnam – Japan relationship
Regarding economic relation:
Japan is one of the most important economic partners of Vietnam and the first G7 country to recognize Vietnam’s market economy in October 2011.
On 1/10/2009, the Vietnam – Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) officially took effect, marking a new milestone in the bilateral economic cooperation relations. Along with the ASEAN – Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, VJEPA has created a favorable legal framework for the development of economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
According to the Japan-Vietnam Joint Statement signed in 2011, the two sides set the target to at least double the bilateral trade turnover in 2020. At the same time, Phase IV of the “Vietnam – Japan Joint Initiative” on improvement of the investment environment in Vietnam was achieved, and the Phase V was agreed to be launched in 2013.
From early 2012, Japan becomes the first investor in Vietnam with a total registered capital of over 32 billion USD, and more than 1990 investment projects are still valid. Currently, hundreds of large and small Japanese companies are eager to explore the market of Vietnam.
In 2012, the two-way trade turnover reached 24.7 billion USD, up 16.4 percent over 2011. Japan becomes the third largest trade partner of Vietnam after only the United States and China. It is expected that two-way trade turnover will reach 29 billion USD in 2013. Japan is now one of Vietnam's major economic partners.
Regarding cultural and education exchange:
Obvious expression of the Vietnam-Japan friendship over 40 years is the people’s cultural exchange. The two peoples have enjoyed the cultural essence of each other on the basis of preserving their own cultural identity.
Japan has many projects for Vietnam in researching, preserving museums and relics as embellishing typical traditional houses in North, Central and South Vietnam, preserving relics of Thang Long Imperial Citadel…
During the official visit to Vietnam in 2004, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the relics of Thang Long Imperial Citadel and highly appreciated the historical value of this relic. In 2006, the Vietnam – Japan Joint Committee for preserving the relic of Thang Long Imperial Citadel was established. Since then, Japan has sent many delegations of archaeological experts to Vietnam to make investigations, excavations and researches.
Besides, both sides sent delegations to each other performing art shows, attending exhibitions, film festivals, and other events. Since 2003, “The Vietnam – Japan Cultural Exchange Days” has been annually held in Hoi An in order to strengthen Vietnam - Japan friendship ties. In these events, Japanese friends and Hoi An people have many festive activities imbued with national identity to introduce themselves and share with each other. Thereby, the mutual understanding and the cultural, historic values between the two nations have been enhanced.
From 11th – 23rd September, the “Vietnam Days in Japan” were held in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Fukuoka, and Nagoya; and “The Vietnam - Japan People’s Friendship Festival 2013” was co-organized by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), the Party Central Committee Commission for External Relations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from September 19th – 23rd September in Hanoi, Vinh Phuc and Quang Ninh. This was the biggest event ever in the friendship and cooperation relation between the two countries.
The cooperation in education and training are also emphasized. Currently, there are about five thousand Vietnamese students, post-graduates studying in Japan. The collaboration between Vietnamese and Japanese universities is increasingly close and extended. In recent years, Japan is one of the largest donors providing non - refundable education - training aids to Vietnam.
Regarding people-to-people exchange:
The people-to-people exchange will consolidate the mutual trust and understanding, cement the two countries and peoples, and play an important role in the development of economic, political, cultural and educational relations.
As a bridge in relation between the two peoples, the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association has actively organized various effective activities of friendship and cooperation; actively supported the Vietnamese Agent Orange victims; organized activities to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations, National Days... The Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association has significantly contributed to strengthening and promoting friendship and cooperation relations between Vietnam and Japan.
Two year ago, when the Japanese people faced the dual earthquake and tsunami disasters, Vietnamese people nationwide shared difficulties with the Japanese people, like the people in the same country and family. The support of the Vietnamese people, though small, contained a real and great sentiment. Despite difficulties, Japan has remained its favor for Vietnam in investment in construction of infrastructure, healthcare and education...
In recent years, the local bilateral cooperation has strongly promoted. Several provinces of the two countries have established friendship and cooperation relations in various fields.
Looking back at the development of bilateral relations between Vietnam- Japan in over 40 years, we can affirm that the friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation relations between the two countries have been being maintained, consolidated, enhanced and deepened for the practical contribution to the development of each country./.
Ngọc Anh
