HÀ NỘI – The State visit to Việt Nam by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko is a historical milestone that opens a new chapter in the bilateral relationship marked by friendship and co-operation, says President Trần Đại Quang. 

"The State and people of Việt Nam are very pleased to welcome the first visit to Việt Nam by the Japanese Emperor and Empress," the President told Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. 

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Hà Nội yesterday, beginning a six-day State visit to Viet Nam.

The visit, made at the invitation of President Trần Đại Quang and his spouse, is the first-ever to Việt Nam by a Japanese Emperor and Empress.

Quang said he hoped the visit would contribute to further strengthening the extensive strategic partnership in all fields, meeting the aspirations and interests of the two peoples. 

He highlighted the sound development of bilateral ties over the last 40 years, noting further that the extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia that the two countries forged in 2014, has laid a firm foundation for strengthening the comprehensive, substantial relationship in all fields. 

Political trust between Việt Nam and Japan has been reinforced through the regular exchange of high-ranking visits and meetings, including the most recent trip to Việt Nam by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earlier this year, according to the President. 

Việt Nam and Japan have established and effectively implemented numerous dialogue mechanisms in specific areas, and co-operation between their ministries and sectors has been expanded. The two sides have also worked closely at regional and global forums. 

Japan is Việt Nam’s largest ODA provider, second biggest investor and fourth largest bilateral trade partner. There are about 1,600 Japanese enterprises operating in Việt Nam. The two countries are collaborating on many large-scale infrastructure and energy projects in Việt Nam. 

The two countries have also strengthened co-operation in security-defence, agriculture, labour, and climate change adaptation. Collaboration between Vietnamese and Japanese localities has been fostered in a practical manner, with nearly 30 pairs of localities setting up twin-city relations. 

People-to-people contact, cultural exchange, and tourism links have been enhanced. In 2016, Japan ranked third in the number of tourists visiting Việt Nam. 

"Việt Nam and Japan boast great potential for boosting ties in many fields as the two countries have complementary strengths," President Quang stressed. 

He said leaders of both countries had agreed to enhance political trust by maintaining visits and contacts at all levels, and by improving the efficacy of dialogue mechanisms. 

The two sides would push for win-win cooperation in trade and investment, and work together in effectively using Japan’s ODA for key infrastructure projects in Việt Nam, making them a symbol of success in economic co-operation between the two nations, the President said. 

The two sides would also continuously foster links in potential fields such as high-tech and clean agriculture, labour, culture, people-to-people exchanges and connections among their localities, laying the foundation for a more sustainable co-operation in the future, he added. 

Quang believes that with effort and sound policies from both sides, the Việt Nam-Japan extensive strategic partnership will develop strongly, meeting the interests of both countries and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. 

Akihito, who took the throne on January 7, 1989, is the 125^th Emperor of Japan. – VNS