General Secretary, President To Lam and spouse's visit to Japan: Establishing a new framework for high-level cooperation, creating shared values
WVR - On the occasion of General Secretary, President To Lam and his spouse's upcoming official visit to Japan (November 8-11), Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu shared with The World &Vietnam Report the significance and main focuses of the visit.
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| General Secretary, State President To Lam meets with Liberal Democratic Party Chairman, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on May 2, 2026. (Source: VGP) |
Ambassador, could you share the significance and objectives of General Secretary, President To Lam and his spouse's official visit to Japan this time?
This is To Lam's first visit to Japan in his capacity as General Secretary, President, occurring at a time when both countries face new development demands. Vietnam is accelerating industrialization and modernization, aiming for two centennial development goals by 2030 and 2045. Japan is also promoting new growth drivers, linking economic development with science and technology, enhancing national strength, and restoring its leading position in key economic and technological sectors.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu. (Photo: Chu Van) |
A significant meeting point is that both countries consider science and technology, innovation, and the quality of human resources as decisive factors for future development. Japan has strengths in technology, capital, industrial foundation, and management experience. Vietnam has a dynamic market, human resources, and a strong development aspiration. This is a favourable time for both countries to transform these complementary strengths into joint development capabilities.
From my practical experience as the Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, I recognize that the relationship between the two countries has a very valuable foundation: trust built over generations of leaders, long-term business partnerships, and close ties between the people. Japan has accompanied Vietnam in infrastructure construction, industrial development, and human resource training. Today, these achievements are increasingly contributing positively to the economies and societies of both countries. Therefore, the cooperative relationship is becoming more reciprocal, closely tied to mutual interests and future development.
On that basis, I believe the overarching message of this visit will be to jointly position and establish a new framework for high-level cooperation; open up development space in each strategic field with a long-term vision; and create values that the people can benefit from.
High-level exchanges between the two countries have taken place just six months apart this year. During the visit to Vietnam by Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party President Takaichi Sanae in May, leaders of the two countries agreed on a number of important areas of cooperation. How will these priorities be further advanced during the upcoming visit to Japan by General Secretary, President To Lam and his spouse, Ambassador?
With the significance and objectives as shared, I would like to emphasise five major contents of the visit:
First, affirming the importance and long-term orientation in relations with Japan. The visit is an important step in implementing the foreign policy of the 14th Party Congress. Vietnam continues to regard Japan as a leading, long-term, comprehensive strategic partner; wishing for both countries to accompany each other as partners in mutual development and benefit.
Second, strengthening political trust, especially personal trust between high-level leaders of the two countries. Direct exchanges help both sides better understand each other's priorities, unify major orientations, and resolve existing issues. I believe this is a particularly important foundation for long-term cooperation.
Third, promoting cooperation to enhance strategic autonomy and resilience of each country. The focus is on strengthening economic linkages, integrating trade and investment with science and technology, innovation, and high-quality human resource training. We wish to promote specific programs on joint research, technology transfer and mastery, training experts, and engineers. Strengthening the connection between businesses and universities, research institutes. Semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, energy, and green transition are fields with many prospects. What we aim for is joint research, production, and development within the value chain.
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| The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan organizes “Vietnam Labour Day in Japan 2025”. (Source: VOV) |
Fourth, expanding connections between people and localities. Local cooperation, tourism, cultural exchanges, education, and the younger generation will continue to be promoted. The community of nearly 700,000 Vietnamese in Japan is a particularly important bridge. When people understand each other better, businesses cooperate more effectively, and localities find common interests, the relationship between the two countries will have a more sustainable foundation. One of the important highlights of this visit is promoting cultural diplomacy, with many rich cultural exchange activities. Notably, the Vietnam-Japan Art Sculpture Exhibition themed “Dialogue”, organized for the first time.
Fifth, enhancing coordination and promoting comprehensive cooperation in multilateral frameworks. Both countries emphasize adherence to international law, including the United Nations Charter, resolving disputes by peaceful means; contributing responsibly to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world.
For the Embassy, an important task is to turn high-level orientations into practical results. Right after the visit, the Embassy will coordinate to determine tasks, focal points, and implementation progress of the agreements. With the advantage of understanding the area and directly connecting partners, we will continue to complete the “cooperation map” between Vietnam and Japan. The goal is to find the right partners, connect the right needs, and promote specific projects. The key point is that the success of the visit should be reflected in tangible benefits for the people and businesses of both countries.
The Vietnamese community in Japan is an important component contributing to the unique friendship cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. According to the Ambassador, what opportunities might this visit open for the Vietnamese community in Japan?
The Vietnamese community in Japan is an important bridge between the people of the two countries, actively contributing to Japan's economic and social life and Vietnam's development. Currently, there are about 700,000 Vietnamese residing in Japan, ranking second among foreign communities here. The community is becoming increasingly diverse, from workers, students to intellectuals, experts, entrepreneurs, and long-term resident families. This is a valuable resource for the relationship between the two countries.
Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW dated August 2, 2026, of the Politburo on overseas Vietnamese affairs has clearly affirmed the role of the overseas Vietnamese community as one of the important strategic resources of the country. For the community in Japan, I believe it is necessary to create conditions for them to successfully integrate locally while increasingly participating in the development of their homeland. Their success also contributes to the country's strength and the bond between the two peoples.
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| Vietnam Heart Festival in Japan 2025. (Photo: Phuong Anh) |
In that spirit, I hope and believe that the visit will provide additional momentum for cooperation in education, training, labour, science and technology, and human resource development. Thereby expanding opportunities for study, employment, and career development for Vietnamese people in Japan.
In particular, the team of intellectuals, experts, engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and Vietnamese students can directly contribute to the pillars of cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and high-quality human resource training between the two countries.
Moreover, every Vietnamese in Japan is a representative of the image of Vietnam and its people. Adhering to the law, respecting local culture, being responsible at work, and actively participating in community activities will help strengthen trust, understanding, and goodwill between the peoples of the two countries.
Implementing Resolution 23 of the Politburo, the Embassy will continue to do well in protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, supporting the community to integrate well, and promoting their strengths. We hope that associations, networks of intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and workers unite; at the same time, continue to care for preserving the Vietnamese language, cultural identity, and connection with the homeland of the young Vietnamese generation in Japan.
Thank you, Ambassador!
