Chairwoman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, Congresswoman Obuchi Yuko, wishes to contribute to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Photo: Pham Tuan/VNA correspondent in Japan

Could you please give your comments on recent developments in Vietnam - Japan relations?

First of all, let me introduce myself. I have just been elected as Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, following Mr. Nikai Toshihiro. This is an honor but also a great responsibility. In addition, my father, Prime Minister Obuchi Keizo, was also Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance during his lifetime. It is a great honor for my family to have two fathers and sons who can take on this important responsibility. Regarding the Japan-Vietnam relationship, I would like to affirm that this is a diplomatic relationship with a long history. Up to now, we have gone through many historical periods, but in any period, we have built friendship and trust. As we enter a new period, of which I am also a member, it is certain that this relationship will continue to develop even better. I myself also wish to contribute my efforts to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

As you just mentioned, the Vietnam-Japan cooperative and friendly relationship has been and will continue to develop well. In that context, how will Prime Minister Ishiba's visit to Vietnam contribute to the bilateral relationship, Madam?

As you know, the Japanese National Assembly is currently in session, lasting from January to around July. During the time the National Assembly is in session, it is not easy for parliamentarians to travel abroad. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ishiba decided to take advantage of the “Golden Week” break to conduct diplomatic activities, and I would like to add that perhaps only Prime Minister Ishiba can do so. The Prime Minister also thought very carefully about choosing a destination. After careful consideration, Prime Minister Ishiba decided to choose Vietnam as his first destination. The reason for choosing Vietnam is because Vietnam is a very important partner of Japan. Therefore, it can be said that it is not only Prime Minister Ishiba who chose Vietnam, but also Japan who chose Vietnam as his destination. In particular, the world situation is currently experiencing many complex and unstable changes, and can even be frankly said to be very unpredictable. In that context, there is still a trustworthy cooperative relationship between the two countries in diplomacy, economy, and especially people-to-people exchange. It is in this difficult time that the two countries open their hearts and deepen trust, friendship and cooperation, becoming more important than ever. Prime Minister Ishiba's visit to Vietnam this time aims to affirm this view of Japan, and at the same time, it is also a contribution to the bilateral relationship.

According to you, after Prime Minister Ishiba's visit to Vietnam, what should the two sides continue to do to bring the relationship between the two countries to a new level?

Up to now, both sides have always made efforts. Therefore, I hope for one thing. That is, taking the opportunity of Prime Minister Ishiba's visit this time, the leaders of the two countries will exchange opinions and agree to conduct more frequent and continuous contacts at the highest level, even setting a schedule for conducting bilateral high-level contacts. In my opinion, this will greatly contribute to promoting bilateral relations.

Nguyen Tuyen - Pham Tuan (Vietnam News Agency)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/viet-nam-la-doi-tac-rat-quan-trong-cua-nhat-ban-20250425145503334.htm