Vietnam president to visit Japan next week, relationship upgrade eyed

President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse will pay a four-day (November 27-30) official visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese State, Vietnam’s foreign ministry announced Wednesday.

The visit is expected to deepen bilateral relations and take them to new heights in a substantive, effective and long-lasting manner in many fields, the ministry statement said.

It noted that the visit was taking place at a time when the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership was developing strongly and comprehensively and both countries were celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

During their stay in Japan, the president and his spouse will make call on Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, and attend a court luncheon hosted by the latter, the Japanese foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will hold a summit meeting with the Vietnamese president.

The Japanese government “hopes that this visit will further strengthen the friendly relations” between Japan and Vietnam, the foreign ministry statement said.

This will be Thuong’s first visit to Japan as president after assuming office in early March this year. Thuong had visited Japan under the Invitation Program for Young Vietnamese Politicians in 2011 and the Invitation Program for Strategic Practitioners in 2015, according to the Japanese foreign ministry.

The Japan News had reported in mid-October that Japan and Vietnam were planning to upgrade their bilateral ties to the highest level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Vietnam has established comprehensive strategic partnerships with China, Russia, India, South Korea, and the United States.

Thuong and his spouse arrived in San Francisco November 14 morning (local time) to participate in the APEC Leaders’ Week as well as bilateral activities at the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden.