Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the phone on Monday. — Photo baochinhphu.vn

TOKYO — Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Monday agreed to speak with the Vietnamese Government on considering the resumption of travel between the two countries.

During a 30-minute phone call to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh, the Japanese official praised COVID-19 prevention and control efforts in Việt Nam and expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Government and people for their support in Japan’s fight against the pandemic.

The two sides agreed to strengthen ties in recovering economic growth, saying this is also an important issue besides containing the disease.

Earlier the same day, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Yoshihide Suga said the COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading worldwide, especially in developing and emerging countries, so the Japanese government needs to maintain vigilance with entry into the country.

However, he also underlined the importance of considering the resumption of travel.

Suga said his country would keep a close watch on the disease’s developments and carefully consider easing entry requirements for specific groups from each country.

Japanese media recently reported that the Japanese government is likely to include Việt Nam in the list of four countries that can enjoy relaxed entry restrictions at first, together with Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.

Entrepreneurs will be given priority for entry into Japan in the first phase.

The Japanese government plans to provide specific information by the middle of June. — VNS