General Secretary proposes Japan to boost high-tech agriculture cooperation

On the afternoon of April 27, at the Headquarters of the Communist Party of Vietnam, General Secretary To Lam met with Ishiba Shigeru, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party and Prime Minister of Japan, on the occasion of Prime Minister Ishiba and his spouse's official visit to Vietnam.

On behalf of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, General Secretary To Lam welcomed the visit of Prime Minister Ishiba and the high-level delegation from the Japanese Government, which coincides with Vietnam’s solemn celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification. He affirmed that the visit holds great significance and contributes to opening a new stage of development in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. General Secretary To Lam also congratulated Japan on the opening of the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025.

Prime Minister Ishiba conveyed his pleasure at returning to Vietnam after 35 years, now for the first time in his capacity as Prime Minister, during a time when Vietnam is commemorating April 30. He also respected President Ho Chi Minh and was deeply impressed by Vietnam’s national liberation efforts. The Japanese Prime Minister thanked the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, as well as General Secretary To Lam personally, for the warm sentiments and respectful, sincere reception given to the delegation.

During the meeting, General Secretary To Lam stated two development goals for 2030, marking the 100th anniversary of the Party’s founding, and 2045, marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the nation. He also discussed the strategy to renew the economic model for rapid and sustainable growth in the new era, the era of Vietnam’s rise. In addition, he shared measures to achieve these goals, including breakthroughs in scientific development and technological advancements, as well as streamlining the government apparatus.

Regarding foreign policy, Vietnam remains committed to an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and development-oriented foreign policy, focusing on multilateralism and diversification. Vietnam aims to deepen and enhance relations with partners, with Japan considered one of the country’s most important and long-term strategic partners.

Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his admiration and congratulations for Vietnam’s achievements in socio-economic development. He highly praised Vietnam’s approach to entering a new era, focusing on economic and technological development, as well as the positive results of streamlining the government apparatus under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam. He also acknowledged Vietnam's proactive and positive role in the context of a complex international and regional situation.

Prime Minister Ishiba expressed confidence that Vietnam would continue to achieve greater success in the new era and affirmed that Japan is ready to accompany Vietnam on its development path.

Emphasizing the long-standing relationship of over 1.300 years between the two countries, General Secretary To Lam expressed his joy at the continued positive development of Vietnam-Japan relations, which have become comprehensive and multi-faceted, with high political trust. This has been particularly evident since the two countries upgraded their framework to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The relationship has seen active high-level exchanges and cooperation in areas ranging from the economy, human resources, labor, education, to new fields such as green transformation, digital transformation, as well as local exchanges, culture, and people-to-people ties.

The General Secretary proposed seven major directions to strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries, including continuously enhancing political trust, consolidating substantive and effective security-defense cooperation, and boosting economic collaboration based on science, technology, and high-quality human resources. He also urged Japan to participate in key infrastructure projects through new-generation ODA funding actively.

Highlighting the importance of identifying science, technology, and innovation as new pillars in bilateral relations, General Secretary To Lam suggested the two countries enhance cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and high-quality human resource development. He also proposed both sides explore new potential in labor cooperation, green transformation, energy transition, and high-tech agriculture, as well as deepen local cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural ties.

Prime Minister Ishiba affirmed that Vietnam is an indispensable partner of Japan. Therefore, Japan will continue to support Vietnam in building an independent and self-reliant economy, industrializing, modernizing, and achieving its strategic goals and socio-economic development plans in the new era. He also emphasized the importance of close coordination to elevate the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new phase, which includes strengthening party-to-party cooperation between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Prime Minister Ishiba further emphasized Japan’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation, ODA, investment, strengthening security-defense cooperation, cybersecurity, peacekeeping, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties. Japan aims to enhance collaboration in new fields such as digital transformation, innovation, quantum technology, and semiconductors. He also agreed to support the training of high-quality human resources both in Japan and at the Vietnam-Japan University, a symbol of cooperation between the two countries.

The Japanese Prime Minister reaffirmed Japan's continued support for the community of over 600.000 Vietnamese people living, studying, and working in Japan. He also mentioned that Japan will send a delegation to attend the World Police Band Concert organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security.

During the meeting, General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Ishiba exchanged views and agreed to work closely together at regional and international forums, such as the United Nations and ASEAN, especially given the rapidly changing and complex international situation. This collaboration will contribute significantly to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.