This is Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru's first visit to Vietnam since his inauguration and also the first visit by a Japanese Prime Minister to Vietnam after the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the world in November 2023.
Since Mr. Ishiba became Prime Minister of Japan (October 2024), the two countries' senior leaders have had many meetings such as Prime Minister Ishiba meeting Politburo member, President Luong Cuong and Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation Forum (APEC) and ASEAN countries in October and November 2024, and meeting with National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man in Tokyo in December 2024.
Continuing the above high-level exchanges, Prime Minister Ishiba's visit to Vietnam demonstrates the Japanese Government's attachment to Vietnam's role and position in the region.
Previously, speaking with the press before the visit, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki affirmed that Vietnam is a top priority in Japan's diplomatic policy. Vietnam is entering an era of national growth and Japan believes that this will also be the time to further expand the cooperative relationship between the two countries.
