Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn with the representatives of the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals in Japan. — VNA/VNS Photo

TOKYO — Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn on Wednesday evening met with representatives of the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals in Japan (AVIJ), and awarded orders and medals to Japanese friends, as part of his official visit to the Asian country.

Foreign minister Sơn thanked overseas Vietnamese (OV) intellectuals living, studying and working in Japan for their contributions to the nation’s development, affirming that he will promptly and fully convey ideas and solutions proposed at the meeting to administrations at all levels and sectors in the homeland, towards appropriately reflecting them in the Government's policies.

The Vietnamese community abroad is an inseparable part of the nation and a vital resource for the country’s industrialisation and modernisation, he stated, stressing that the Party, State, and Government have always paid attention to the overseas Vietnamese community in general, and OVs in Japan in particular.

The Government always values and create the maximum favourable conditions for Vietnamese scientists and intellectuals abroad to contribute to the country's development, including facilitating their return to the homeland to live and work.

He also briefed participants on Việt Nam’s socio-economic situation, and policies towards OVs.

Echoing experts' opinions, Minister Sơn expressed his desire that the intellectual community will continue to apply their knowledge and experience in areas where Japan excels and Việt Nam needs, such as digital transformation, energy transition, artificial intelligence, and hi-tech agriculture.

He also called on scientists to strengthen connections, consolidate the network of intellectuals both at home and abroad through policy consultation, and engage in forums and seminars with domestic experts, thus expanding cooperation in scientific research.

Sơn suggested establishing a mechanism for exchange between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' working group on promoting the development of semiconductor industry and a group of Vietnamese experts and scientists in related fields in Japan, to make practical contributions to the common goal.

He expressed his hope that the community will continue to engage in the training of sci-tech personnel in the homeland by promoting cooperation programmes between education-training institutions of the two countries, with the involvement of Japanese businesses.

Foreign minister Bùi Thanh Sơn presents the orders and certificates of merits to Japanese friends who have made great contributions to bilateral ties. — VNA/VNS Photo

At a ceremony on the same day, on behalf of President Tô Lâm, FM Sơn presented the third-class Labour Order to Tsutomu Takebe, Special Advisor to the Japan-Việt Nam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance (JVPFA); and the Friendship Order to former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, who is also Senior Advisor to the JVPFA; the certificates of merit from Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính to Governor of Gunma prefecture Yamamoto Ichita and Governor of Tochigi refecture Fukuda Tomikazu; and the Friendship Medal to President of the International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC) Ken Matsuzawa.

Sơn said the recognitions show appreciation for valuable contributions made by Japanese friends to Việt Nam’s development, and the Việt Nam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Vietnamese official expressed his belief that Japanese friends will continue to support and make more contributions to the sustainable development of the Việt Nam-Japan cooperation and friendship.

Addressing the award ceremony, special advisor Takebe affirmed his commitment to making greater efforts to contribute to the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. — VNS