Deputy Prime Minister Lê Tiến Châu meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photos

TOKYO — Deputy Prime Minister Lê Tiến Châu held a series of meetings with leaders of Japan’s ministries, government agencies, research institutes, social organisations, and the Vietnamese community during his visit to Japan from June 8 to 10 to attend the 31st Future of Asia Conference in Tokyo.

Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on Wednesday, Châu said Japanese PM Takaichi Sanae’s official visit to Việt Nam in early May was an important milestone that will help deepen bilateral ties.

He thanked Japan for its effective cooperation and significant contributions to Việt Nam’s socio-economic development over the years, expressing support for Japan’s increasingly active role in regional and global affairs through initiatives in digital transformation and energy security.

The Deputy PM called for the effective implementation of agreements reached by the two countries' leaders, especially the outcomes of PM Takaichi’s recent visit to Việt Nam. He proposed strengthening political trust, promoting bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Việt Nam – Japan Cooperation Committee, and coordinating to successfully organise the second Việt Nam – Japan Local Cooperation Forum in Huế this September.

He also asked for closer coordination in simplifying entry procedures for Vietnamese citizens to support the goal of doubling two-way tourist arrivals between the two countries.

For his part, Motegi reaffirmed Japan’s recognition of Việt Nam’s important role in implementing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. He pledged close coordination to realise the high-level agreements through increased exchanges, people-to-people ties, economic cooperation projects, including the Vietnam Japan University, and expanded consular cooperation.

The minister also expressed his hope that the two countries will continue productive collaboration in regional and international issues of shared concern, saying he will arrange a visit to Việt Nam at the earliest opportunity.

During a working session with the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, Châu met former Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, alliance chairperson Yuko Obuchi and other members.

He expressed his hope that the alliance will continue supporting efforts to translate high-level agreements into concrete actions while promoting cooperation in new areas such as digital and green transformation, AI and semiconductor workforce training, and symbolic projects including the Vietnam Japan University.

Former PM Kishida said he was honoured to attend the meeting as a member of the friendship alliance and voiced confidence that bilateral cooperation will become stronger, helping address regional energy security challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister Lê Tiến Châu (second from right) and officials at the meeting with Miyazaki Katsura, Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

On Tuesday, the Vietnamese Deputy PM met Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Matsumoto Yohei. He highly valued the ministry’s contributions to bilateral partnerships in education, science and technology, innovation, and high-quality human resources training.

Meanwhile, Matsumoto affirmed that his ministry will actively coordinate with Việt Nam to implement the agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders in the fields of AI, semiconductors and science – technology.

Châu also had a meeting with Matsuzawa Ken, President of the International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC) of Japan, thanking him and the organisation for their longstanding support and practical contributions to bilateral ties.

Matsuzawa reaffirmed FEC members’ commitment to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Receiving Miyazaki Katsura, Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Châu highly appreciated JICA’s significant contributions over the past three decades to Việt Nam’s development and bilateral relations.

The JICA leader reaffirmed that the agency will enhance cooperation with Việt Nam in high-quality human resources development and projects in science – technology, digital and green transformation, AI, semiconductors and energy.

On Monday, Châu met Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi Hiroshi, stressing that institutional reform is identified as one of Việt Nam’s three strategic breakthroughs and a key priority in cooperation with Japan.

The Deputy PM thanked the Japanese Government for nearly 30 years of practical and effective support and commended the close cooperation between the two countries’ justice ministries.

Hiraguchi expressed his desire to strengthen collaboration with the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice in legal compliance, legal system development, public safety and social order. He pledged support and coordination for the successful organisation of the ASEAN – Japan Law Forum in Việt Nam in August 2026, and backed the two Foreign Ministries' efforts to expedite the signing of a bilateral consular notification agreement.

On the sidelines of activities in Tokyo, Châu also met with Thai Deputy PM Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Wednesday. The two officials highly valued the outcomes of the recent high-level visits between Việt Nam and Thailand, describing them as important milestones that have created fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation.

They agreed to effectively implement the agreements reached during those visits, further expand cooperation in emerging sectors such as AI, semiconductors, digital and green transformation, and strengthen ties in high-quality workforce development, language education, local-level partnerships, culture and tourism.

During his stay in Japan, the Deputy PM also met the Governor of Gunma prefecture, visited and worked with the Shibaura Institute of Technology, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), and FPT Japan Holdings. Besides, he held discussions with Vietnamese scientists and young intellectuals working in Japan. — VNA/VNS