Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) meets with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on May 30, 2019 (Photo: VNA)

At Thursday’s meeting with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, Deputy Prime Minister Minh congratulated the Japanese people on the coronation of Emperor Naruhito, which marked the beginning of the Reiwa era. He praised the Japan-Vietnam strategic partnership, which is developing comprehensively and substantively with high political trust. Mr. Minh said Vietnam always sees Japan as a top long-term partner.

Prime Minister Abe said Japan considers Vietnam an important regional partner and will continue to support Vietnam’s development. He said more than 300,000 Vietnamese are working or studying in Japan, fostering closer friendship between the two countries.

The same day, Mr. Minh asked the Speakers of Japan’s House of Representatives and House of Councilors to continue promoting cooperation between the two parliaments, particularly between young legislators. He called on the Japanese parliament to encourage Japanese enterprises to step up investment and business activities in Vietnam.