National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his wife begin an official visit to Japan on December 3-7, 2024. (photo: quochoi.vn)

This is the first Japan visit by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and also by a top Vietnamese legislator since 2012 and coincides with the first anniversary of the elevation of Vietnam-Japan ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World on November 27, 2023.

Relationship established with strong political trust

In the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the Vietnam-Japan relationship has seen strong, comprehensive progress, successively establishing a Long-term, Stable, and Trustworthy Partnership in 2002 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World in 2023.

Aoyagi Yoichiro, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives (photo: quochoi.vn)

Aoyagi Yoichiro, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives, said the Vietnam-Japan relationship shares many common interests and receives unanimous support from Japan’s major political parties.

“This relationship covers economic cooperation, politics, security, defense, diplomacy, and culture and has symbolic significance. Talking to the Vietnamese, I’ve repeatedly emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral relations at all levels.”

Cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies plays an important role. Exchanges and contacts between specialized committees and parliament members are held regularly, contributing to the implementation of cooperation agreements, supporting the government’s activities, and promoting people-to-people diplomacy.

The Vietnamese National Assembly and the Japanese Parliament promote exchanges within the frameworks of Friendship Parliamentarians, Young Parliamentarians, and Female Parliamentarians. The Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group and the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentarians Alliance play a role in bilateral cooperation. With Vietnam entering a new stage of development, strengthening parliamentary cooperation will secure practical results.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu (photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu said: “The Vietnamese National Assembly and the Japanese Parliament are strengthening cooperation in legislative work, particularly policy making , to boost national socio-economic development as Vietnam enters a new era of rise. With experience in law-making and training legal experts, Japan can effectively support Vietnam’s law-making capacity.”

Specifying Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The official visit to Japan by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man is special as it will concretize new contents in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Japan.

Deputy Head of the National Assembly's External Affairs Committee Le Thu Ha (photo: VNA)

Deputy Head of the National Assembly's External Affairs Committee Le Thu Ha said: “During this visit, the Vietnamese NA Chairman and the President of the House of Councilors of Japan will sign a cooperation agreement. It will enhance the effectiveness of operation, create favorable conditions for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World.”

NA Chairman Man's agenda includes meetings with Japanese Emperor Naruhito, the President of the House of Councilors, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, leaders of major political parties, and executives of key economic organizations in Japan. He will also meet representatives of the Vietnamese community in Japan and visit Nagasaki prefecture.