Agreement on Japan-Vietnam 2 Plus 2

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba made a visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, and had a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Both leaders shared importance of having regular bilateral dialogues between their governments, agreeing establishment of new framework of vice-ministers meeting, or 2 plus 2. For Japan, building close relationship with Vietnam is a countermeasure against China which is approaching the countries in Southeast Asia to enhance its influence in Asia-Pacific region.

Before his departure to Vietnam and Philippine, Ishiba made two points as the purpose of his trip. One is to build close relationship with the “growth center” of Asia, and another is reconfirming role of those two countries in implementing Japan’s diplomatic principle called Free and Open Indo-Pacific. “I hope to enhance security cooperation with them, acknowledging attempts of changing status quo with force by China in South and East China Sea,” told Ishiba to the press.

 

In the meeting with Chinh, Ishiba stated that Vietnam was a key partner in realizing Free and Open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. Both leaders agreed on cooperation for enhancement of Vietnam’s maritime security capability, notifying China’s advance. Vietnam is going to ask Japan’s official security assistance (OSA) based on necessity. They agreed on having the first meeting of Japan-Vietnam 2 plus 2 by vice-ministers of foreign affairs and defense in Japan later this year.

 

Concerning impact of tariff policy of the United States, both leaders exchanged a recognition that it would be important for further development of both economies to improve environment of investments. They were interested in cooperation in such businesses as semiconductor, artificial intelligence, quantum, digital transformation, energy, strategic infrastructure, disaster prevention, training human resources or supply chain.

 

In the joint press conference, Ishiba stressed geopolitical importance of Vietnam. “Enhancing relationship with Vietnam, which is located in a geopolitically key point, contributes to regional stability and prosperity,” said Ishiba. Chinh told that they confirmed importance of multilateralism and calling for international cooperation, insisting that both governments would accommodate each other for stronger economic ties and supporting development of each country.

 

President of China, Xi Jinping, made visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia in mid-April, in the time of tariff policy of U.S. President Donald Trump was bringing serious concern in international trade system. Ishiba hoped to play a leading role for maintaining free trade in Asian region. Accordingly, it is crucial to secure freedom of navigation in South and East China Sea to keep maritime transportation. Ishiba is going to reconfirm close cooperation in maritime security with the leader of Philippine after his visit to Vietnam.

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