During the meeting, Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man emphasized that, after 50 years of operation, the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance has made significant contributions to the unique friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Japan.  

The Chairman noted that at the beginning of 2023, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and by the end of the year, had elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world. 

He affirmed the high level of trust in political and diplomatic relations, with both sides strengthening exchanges across various levels, especially frequent and close high-level exchanges across Party, State, and National Assembly channels. Furthermore, cooperation in investment, trade, labor, education, science and technology, national defense, and security has been increasingly deepened.  

On behalf of the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, Chairman Tran Thanh Man commended the role of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance and expressed his gratitude to its members, particularly Chairman Nikai Toshihiro and other dedicated members of the Alliance, including former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.  

The Chairman expressed his hope that the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Japanese Parliament would enhance their cooperation further in various areas, particularly through the two friendship parliamentary groups. He suggested they advocate for and promote collaboration among businesses in green transformation, digital transformation, renewable energy, education, and healthcare to deepen the bilateral relationship.  

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Nikai Toshihiro, and other delegates 

On this occasion, the Chairman also expressed his wish for the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance to continue supporting the Vietnamese community in Japan, a vital bridge for friendship and a positive contributor to the socio-economic development of both nations.  

Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Nikai Toshihiro thanked Chairman Tran Thanh Man for taking the time to meet and emphasized that this meeting would further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

During the meeting, former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, a member of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, expressed his delight in welcoming the high-level delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly on their official visit to Japan. He also congratulated Nikai Toshihiro, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, on being awarded a medal by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.  

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man presents the Third-Class Labor Medal from the President of Vietnam to Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Nikai Toshihiro 

As someone who has made significant contributions to the diplomatic relations between the two countries, former Prime Minister Kishida shared that he felt honored and proud of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations and the elevation of the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.  

Kishida Fumio expressed confidence that in the future, the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, as well as the exchanges between Vietnamese National Assembly delegates and Japanese parliamentarians, would continue to grow. He affirmed his personal commitment to contributing to this development.  

Later that evening, on behalf of the Party and State leadership, Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man presented the Third-Class Labor Medal from the President of Vietnam to Nikai Toshihiro, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, for his outstanding achievements in fostering cooperative and friendly relations between the two countries.  

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man presents the Friendship Medal to the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture 

Chairman Tran Thanh Man also awarded the Friendship Medal to the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture in recognition of his significant and effective contributions to promoting cooperative and friendly relations between Vietnam and Japan.