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Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki. Photo: Dinh Tuan


Although he has just started his term, Ambassador Ito Naoki has already learned much about the country and its people. He expressed his admiration for Vietnamese culture and the youthful energy of its population.

“My first impression is that the Vietnamese population is very young. This vitality and dynamism are reflected in the economic field, and I believe this will significantly contribute to Vietnam's economic development,” he said.

The Ambassador has been captivated by Hanoi's blend of tradition and modernity, with its scenic spots and historical sites like the Temple of Literature and the Imperial Citadel.

He sees similarities between Vietnam and Japan in their ability to harmoniously combine these elements. During his term, he hopes to enjoy a variety of Vietnamese dishes, not just pho but also vermicelli, glass noodles, and cao lau, to compare the flavors across different regions.

Ambassador Ito Naoki also discussed the current Vietnam-Japan relationship and its prospects. “Taking office in the context of excellent development between the two countries, I feel extremely happy and honored, and at the same time, I also feel a heavy responsibility in my new position,” he said.

The relationship between Vietnam and Japan was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Over the past decade, Vietnam has made remarkable progress, enhancing its role and value internationally. Japan wishes to strengthen its cooperative relationship with Vietnam, tackling regional and global issues together. One of Ambassador Ito’s key tasks is to help the two countries concretize the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming years.

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Mr. Ito Naoki shared his comments and assessments on the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relationship. Photo: Dinh Tuan

The Ambassador emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in security and defense. Japan will provide defense equipment to Vietnam and carry out technical cooperation in this field. Additionally, Japan has cooperated with the Vietnam Coast Guard through loan aid to build six new patrol boats.

With 40 years of experience in diplomacy, Ambassador Ito highlighted the importance of people-to-people diplomacy. “On the basis of good cooperation, Japan hopes to further strengthen and deepen cultural, scientific, educational, and human resource exchanges,” he said. The Embassy of Japan in Vietnam has opened a Cultural Information Center to foster interest and understanding among the Vietnamese people.

Vietnam has a large young population, and the Ambassador plans to engage with the youth to promote cooperation in education and careers. The Cultural Information Center organizes many events to introduce Japanese culture, encouraging Vietnamese youth to study, work, and live in Japan. Vietnamese workers in Japan have significantly contributed to the country's socio-economic development, especially in fields like healthcare, agriculture, and food processing.

High-tech fields such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor chips are crucial for bilateral cooperation. Japan is developing large-scale investment projects in semiconductors and training human resources in this field. Ambassador Ito hopes that Vietnamese workers in Japan will gain skills and expertise that they can bring back to Vietnam, contributing to the country’s development in the semiconductor sector.

The Japan-Vietnam Joint Initiative program, which was recently elevated to the Japan-Vietnam Joint Initiative in the New Era, focuses on cooperation in innovation, digital transformation, and training highly skilled human resources.

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for strengthening supply services in Asia to avoid disruption. A survey conducted by the Japanese government's business support program revealed that many businesses are looking for new investment destinations, with Vietnam being a popular choice, especially in the semiconductor sector.

Ha Phuong – Dinh Tuan