The Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership has recently developed strongly and comprehensively, with a high political trust. High-level exchanges and contacts at all levels and channels have taken place vibrantly. Senior leaders of the two countries have maintained regular visits and contacts at international and regional forums.

Economic cooperation is a bright spot in the relationship between the two countries. Japan is Vietnam's most important economic partner and ranks first in ODA aid, second in labour cooperation, third in investment and tourism, and fourth in trade.

The cooperation in the fields of defence, security, healthcare, culture, labour, agriculture, education and training and climate change adaptation, have been all strongly strengthened. The two sides have coordinated closely and effectively and supported each other at multilateral forums and on international and regional issues of common concern.

Among the good development of the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Japanese Parliament has been constantly consolidated and developed. The two sides have regularly maintained high-level exchanges and contacts and exchanged experiences between their committees and parliamentarians, contributing to the practical implementation of agreements reached by senior leaders of the two countries, supporting government activities and promoting people-to-people diplomacy, as well as facilitating cooperative programmes and projects between the two countries. The Vietnamese National Assembly and the Japanese Parliament have also boosted exchange activities within the framework of Groups of Friendship Parliamentarians, Women Parliamentarians and Young Parliamentarians.

At multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Japanese Parliament shared similar views on building and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development; regularly supported each other in their views on handling maritime and aviation security issues in the region, as well as the East Sea/South China Sea issue.

The year 2023 marks an important milestone when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The two countries have been coordinating closely to implement the agreement reached at the online talks earlier this year between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, on creating breakthroughs to develop the relationship between the two countries to a new height.

Taking place in a year of special significance, the official visit to Vietnam by President of the House of Councillors of Japan Otsuji Hidehisa continues to express, that Japan attaches great importance to relations with Vietnam and places Vietnam in a high position in its foreign policy. In addition, the visit is a step to concretise the spirit of the joint statement reached by the two countries in November 2021, towards a new phase of the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership.

The visit affirms the consistent policy of the Party and the State of Vietnam in attaching importance to Vietnam-Japan relations, as well as Vietnam’s wishes to promote more substantive and comprehensive cooperation and strengthen the friendship and understanding between the two peoples, in a deeper and closer manner. The visit also further strengthens the cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, contributing to promoting the strong and extensive development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship.

Welcoming Japanese President of the House of Councillors Japan Otsuji Hidehisa on an official visit, Vietnam continues to affirm the 13th National Party Congress’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multi-lateralisation, diversification, comprehensive and deep international integration proactively and actively, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, and constantly improving the international position and prestige

The visit affirms the consistent policy of the Party and the State of Vietnam in attaching importance to Vietnam-Japan relations, as well as Vietnam’s wishes to promote more substantive and comprehensive cooperation and strengthen the friendship and understanding between the two peoples in a deeper and closer manner. The visit also further strengthens the cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, contributing to promoting the strong and extensive development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship.

The official visit to Vietnam by President of the House of Councillors of Japan Otsuji Hidehisa marks a new milestone in the 50-year journey of good cooperation between the two countries, contributing to developing their extensive strategic partnership deeply and comprehensively and further enhancing the stature of Vietnam-Japan relationship in the new period.