Japan-Vietnam Prime Ministers Phone Talk "Urge Strengthening Cooperation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga held a telephone meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for about 30 minutes on the 17th, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the same day.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Suga expressed his intention during the meeting to further strengthen the relationship between Japan and Vietnam to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific."

He mentioned the Chinese Coast Guard Law, which allows the use of weapons by the coast guard, and expressed serious concerns and opposition to the ongoing attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

Additionally, Prime Minister Suga emphasized that despite difficulties caused by COVID-19, Japanese investment in Vietnam is increasing, and there are various possibilities for cooperation between the two countries in infrastructure, energy, environment, and digital sectors.

Prime Minister Chinh expressed gratitude for Japan's support and conveyed his hope that the bilateral relationship will further develop.