Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — At the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his spouse, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his spouse will make an official visit to Việt Nam on October 18-20, 2020.

Việt Nam is the first overseas destination for Japanese PM Suga after taking office in September, 2020.

The Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson Lê Thị Thu Hằng remarks that this choice “clearly demonstrates the strong and substantial development of the extensive strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Japan in several aspects.”

“We strongly believe that the visit will be a great success, actively contributing to fostering the Việt Nam – Japan extensive strategic partnership and to restoring the post-COVID 19 socio-economic developments of the two countries,” Hằng added.

In Việt Nam, the Japanese leader is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, pay courtesy calls to Party General Secretary and President Nguyễn Phú Trọng and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.

He will also address students of the Việt Nam-Japan University in Hà Nội and participate in other activities.

During his visit, PM Suga could make a commitment that Tokyo will take the lead in contributing to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and affirm Japan's full support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), a Japanese official from the foreign ministry was quoted by Vietnam News Agency as saying. — VNS