Vietnam, Japan Vow to Expand Defense Cooperation

Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang met with Japan's Principal Staff Officer, Uchikura Hiroaki, in Hanoi, signaling a deepening of defense ties between the two nations. Giang expressed confidence that Hiroaki's official visit would enhance friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and Japan's Self-Defense Forces.

Giang reiterated Vietnam's commitment to its comprehensive strategic partnership with Japan, recognizing Japan as a key economic partner and a significant collaborator in various sectors including ODA, labor, investment, and trade. He emphasized that defense cooperation has steadily expanded, becoming more profound and effective alongside the broader bilateral relationship.

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Vietnam always values the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world with Japan.

Vietnam and Japan maintain robust defense dialogues, including high-level policy consultations and staff officer consultations across naval, ground, and air forces. Giang acknowledged Japan's support in areas such as training, defense industry development, technology transfer, and post-war recovery efforts. He expressed Vietnam's desire to strengthen cooperation in these fields, aiming for defense collaboration to become a pillar of the bilateral relationship.

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Along with the deep development of Vietnam-Japan relations, bilateral defense cooperation has been continuously expanded, deepened, and become increasingly effective and practical.

Looking ahead, Giang outlined key areas for future cooperation: maintaining consultation mechanisms, signing agreements, enhancing collaboration among military branches and in the defense industry, joint training programs, and cooperation in military medicine, cybersecurity, UN peacekeeping, and post-war recovery. Both nations will also coordinate support in multilateral forums, particularly within the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

During the meeting, Giang invited leaders from Japan's Ministry of Defense, Self-Defense Forces, and defense industry companies to attend the 3rd Vietnam International Defense Exhibition in December. Hiroaki affirmed Japan's commitment to advancing cooperation with Vietnam, underscoring the strong foundation of their relationship.

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Japan always values and promotes cooperation with Vietnam on the basis of the relationship.