Last year in viet nam

The Hanoitimes – Suga continues the predecessor’s foreign policy which is based on the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Japan’s Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is planning to visit Vietnam and Indonesia around mid-October, Nikkei Asia has reported.

Japan has traditionally emphasized ties with Vietnam. Source photos by Reuters and Nikkei

It will be Suga’s first overseas trip since taking office earlier this month.

Mr. Suga would not make the final decision on whether to travel until after examining the coronavirus status at home and in the destinations. Vietnam has succeeded in containing the pandemic after going more than three weeks without locally-transmitted cases.

He is expected to focus on resuming international travel at talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Japan is already in talks with Vietnam about easing restrictions on business travel between the countries which have already reopened borders to expatriates.

Mr. Suga also wants to coordinate efforts with Vietnam and Indonesia regarding the South China Sea, as US-China military and economic tensions continue to heat up, Nikkei Asia reported, adding that Japan will likely try to appeal to ASEAN partners about securing regional stability in a bid to curb China’s growing regional ambitions.

The new Japanese prime minister is continuing the foreign policy of his predeccesor Abe Shinzo, which is based on the concept of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” It aims to strengthen deterrence against China by advocating the importance of democracy and other values, like the rule of law.

Vietnam and Indonesia are known for their friendly ties with Tokyo and Japan has traditionally emphasized its relationship with the two Southeast Asian countries.

After inaugurating his second administration in 2012, Mr. Abe also picked up these two nations for his first overseas trip.

This year, Vietnam is ASEAN chair while Indonesia is a member of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies.

Right after the election of Japan’s new cabinet, Hanoi said it wished to enhance the relationship with Japan to take the comprehensive and substantive strategic partnership to a new height.

International experts believe that whoever succeeds Abe Shinzo, Vietnam and Japan have ample reasons to widen and deepen their cooperation across a host of domains.

The Hanoitimes – Another 450 Japanese experts will come to Vietnam by the weekend.

A group of 150 Japanese experts have arrived in Vietnam as the two countries begin to relax travel restrictions on a mutual basis.

Japanese experts arrive in Van Don International Airport in northern Vietnam on June 25. Photo: Van Don airport

The group landed in Van Don airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh on Thursday afternoon, becoming the first out of 450 Japanese experts and businessmen to come to Vietnam this week.

The experts came in a flight by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines with the support of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) in Vietnam.

All passengers wore protective suits and informed authorities of their medical status upon entry. They had their body temperature scanned and their luggage sanitized. They will be quarantined for the next 14 days as per existing Covid-19 prevention protocol, VnExpress reported.

Reuters cited Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi Tuesday that Japan would partially ease travel restrictions to Vietnam, with flights between the two countries permitted from June 25-27.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week that an agreement has been reached with Japan to gradually relax travel restrictions between the two countries.

Vietnam has been in talks with China, Japan, South Korea and some other countries and territories on gradually recommencing travel, first for experts, corporate managers, and skilled workers.

Due to the global health crisis, Vietnam has closed borders to foreign visitors from March 22 and suspended international flights since then, except for repatriation flights and now the arrival of foreign experts and skilled workers for major projects.

In a similar move, Japan has banned the entry of visitors from 111 countries and territories to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Japan was Vietnam’s fourth largest investor in 2019 after South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore in terms of registered capital. It is Vietnam’s largest labor market, welcoming around 80,000 Vietnamese last year.

As of June 25, Japan recorded over 18,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 1,000 deaths. Vietnam confirmed 352 cases, with just 23 remaining active, and zero deaths.

The Hanoitimes – During his two terms as Japan’s Prime Minister, Mr. Abe has visited Vietnam at least four times and helped strengthen the Japan-Vietnam relations.

Vietnam wishes Prime Minister Abe Shinzo good health and happiness, said Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hours after Mr. Abe announced his resignation due to health problems.

PM Abe Shinzo and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc walk in Hoi An town in Quang Nam province, November 11, 2017 when he visited Vietnam to attend the APEC summit. Photo: VNA

Mr. Abe, who just four days ago set a record of staying in power for 2,799 consecutive days, will leave office, ending his nearly eight-year stint as Japan’s longest-serving leader due to a flare-up of his chronic intestinal disease.