Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (right) meets Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi in Hà Nội on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam welcomes investment and cooperation with Japanese businesses for the mutual benefit of both countries, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính said in the meeting with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi in Hà Nội on Friday.

Việt Nam and Japan also expect to strengthen coordination to implement Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's initiative on the Asian Zero Emissions Community (AZEC), the Vietnamese leader added.

The two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, while the Việt Nam-Japan extensive strategic partnership has seen significant progress in multiple aspects, PM Chính said.

Việt Nam hopes to receive Japan's support in industrialisation and modernisation for a self-reliant economy, while also focusing on practical and effective international integration, he added.

PM Chính also requested that Japan assist Việt Nam in green and digital transformation, developing high technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment for people’s health care, new materials processing and manufacturing, as well as human resources training and technology transfer.

The Vietnamese government leader also asked for favourable conditions for Vietnamese business operations in Japan, as well as better access for Vietnamese agricultural and fishery products to the Japanese market.

PM Chính also proposed that Japan help survey and provide new official development assistance (ODA) for large-scale infrastructure development projects of Việt Nam, such as the North-South high-speed railway.

Minister Nishimura said that Japan supports Việt Nam’s goals to become a modern industrial country by 2045, achieve the net-zero emission target by 2050 and develop industries with a vision for the future.

Speaking about the results of the Việt Nam-Japan Joint Committee on Cooperation in Industry, Trade and Energy, Minister Nishimura said that the two sides have agreed on cooperation in multiple areas, further strengthening their bilateral relations.

The Japanese official also agreed with PM Chính’s requests, adding that Japan will closely coordinate with Việt Nam’s ministry and departments through working groups, especially for cooperation in technology transfer, human resources training, and multilateral mechanisms such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Japan will also dedicate resources to key projects in important industries, such as semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and health care, as well as seafood processing.

Japan hopes to cooperate with Việt Nam in surveying, mining and processing rare earths and related industries.

Underlining that Japan has always been a trusted, priority and long-term partner of Việt Nam, PM Chính hoped that their bilateral ties would grow to be more profound, practical and effective, contributing to regional and international peace, cooperation and development.

PM Chính requested that the two countries strengthen political trust through high-level exchanges, as well as at the ministerial and sectoral levels.

More connections and cooperation activities between localities and businesses are also expected.

PM Chính also asked that Japan consider a more open visa policy towards Vietnamese nationals to promote cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

There are around 500,000 Vietnamese studying, working and residing in Japan. — VNS