Defense Cooperation is an Important Pillar in Vietnam-Japan Relations

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu stated that the defense cooperation between Vietnam and Japan has continuously expanded, deepened, and become more substantial, becoming a bright spot and a crucial pillar in the bilateral relationship.

Delegates take a commemorative photo at the ceremony.

On November 27, in Tokyo, the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan solemnly held a ceremony to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2024) and the 35th Anniversary of the Vietnam People's Defense Day.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen; Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces, General Yoshida Yoshihide; Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of House of Councillors Onoda Kimi; Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Self-Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Ogasawara Takuto; Director of the Army Equipment Bureau, Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), Lieutenant General Ohashi Satoru; Vice President of the Joint Staff College, Vice Admiral Tsukagoshi Yasunori; Chairman of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Mr. Atsushi Sunami; Ambassadors, Defense Attaches, Military Attaches from other countries, and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Japan.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu recounted the glorious 80-year history of the Vietnam People's Army.

The Ambassador emphasized that after 80 years of construction and development, the Vietnam People's Army has promoted the glorious historical traditions of thousands of years of building and defending the country; actively contributing to building a peaceful and stable environment in the region and the world.

The Ambassador noted that international integration and defense diplomacy had achieved many important and breakthrough accomplishments, creating favorable conditions and an international environment for the construction and protection of the country.

The Ambassador stated that Vietnam now has defense relations with more than 100 countries and has participated in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force since 2014.

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu of Vietnam speaks at the opening of the commemoration ceremony.

Regarding Vietnam-Japan defense cooperation, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu stated that based on the strong development of Vietnam-Japan friendly relations, defense cooperation between the two countries has continuously expanded, deepened, and become more substantial, becoming a bright spot and a key pillar in the bilateral relationship.

Exchanges of delegations at various levels have become more frequent, with Japan's Minister of Defense visiting Vietnam in August 2024.

The two countries maintain cooperation mechanisms such as the Deputy Minister-level Defense Policy Dialogue, consultations between officers from the three military branches (Navy, Army, Air Force); signing numerous cooperation agreements; strengthening cooperation in various fields such as war consequences remediation; training and education; military medicine; search and rescue; United Nations peacekeeping; cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+)...

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu remarked that the elevation of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has created a new momentum to promote multifaceted cooperation, including defense relations between the two countries.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that Vietnam-Japan defense cooperation will continue to be elevated to new heights, for the benefit of both countries, and for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

Colonel Nguyen Thai Son, Vietnam's Defense Attaché in Japan, speaks at the commemoration ceremony.

Colonel Nguyen Thai Son, Vietnam's Defense Attaché in Japan, affirmed that after 80 years of construction, combat, and development, the Vietnam People's Army has continuously grown stronger, always demonstrating the strength of a revolutionary army, emerging from and fighting for the people, deserving of being the absolutely loyal and reliable fighting force of the Party, State, and People of Vietnam.

Colonel Nguyen Thai Son emphasized that defense diplomacy has become one of the pillars of the Party's foreign policy and State diplomacy, serving as an important channel to establish and strengthen strategic trust, build and develop friendly relations between Vietnam and other countries and international organizations, contributing to enhancing the status and prestige of the country, the people, and the Vietnam People's Army.

Minister of Defense of Japan, Nakatani Gen, speaks at the commemoration ceremony.

In his congratulatory speech at the commemoration, Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen expressed admiration for the Vietnam People's Army.

He recounted his experience of working with the Vietnam Ministry of Defense in various roles.

Minister Nakatani Gen stated that during the bilateral Defense Ministers’ Meeting held in August 2024, both Ministers expressed their desire to further promote defense cooperation between the two countries in many fields.

He emphasized that the foundation of Vietnam-Japan defense cooperation is based on the trust built between the partners through direct meetings and expressed hope that the two countries will continue to build new trust.