Japanese Communist Party's Akahata Shimbun covers the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Xuân Giao

TOKYO — Chairman of the Presidium of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Central Committee Shii Kazuo wrote an article sharing his deep sadness over the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

In the article, he noted he has had a relationship with Nguyễn Phú Trọng for more than 30 years, with many talks and exchanges in Tokyo and Hà Nội. Trọng is a friend who could talk openly and honestly about any topic and any field.

He expressed his sincere condolences to the Party chief’s family, the people of Việt Nam and the Communist Party of Việt Nam.

According to Shii Kazuo, Nguyễn Phú Trọng has played a great role in implementing Việt Nam's sound foreign policy in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, including maintaining independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of foreign relations; supporting complete disarmament of nuclear weapons; promoting the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), contributing to peace in the world and Asia.

Nguyễn Phú Trọng directed and led Việt Nam's Đổi Mới (Renewal) cause, which has reaped great achievements in poverty reduction and economic development, he wrote, adding his Party always pays attention to and supports this process of Việt Nam.

Under the leadership of Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, the relations between the two communist parties have developed strongly, expressing his delight over the two parties’ agreement to join hands to promote efforts for peace in East Asia and nuclear disarmament during the talks between their leaders on December 26, 2023.

He went on to say that the ties between the two parties began developing when Việt Nam carried out its struggle against the US invaders and expressed his wish that the two parties would continue branching out the traditional friendship and solidarity.

He recalled Trọng’s memoir about Japan posted on Nhân Dân (People) newspaper following his trip to the nation in 1994, in which he spotlighted the heart-felt solidarity and friendship with the Japanese communists.

During the last meeting with him, he recalled his writing, and hoped for a better relations between the two parties, Shii reminisced the memory with his depth of emotion.

The JCP leader once again offered his condolences over the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, and wished that Việt Nam’s Đổi Mới would be successful, and the ties between the two communist parties as well as the two nations and their people would develop robustly. — VNS