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Japan and Vietnam to Establish Joint Discourse Framework on Foreign Affairs and Defense

Japan and Vietnam's top leaders concurred on Monday, establishing a diplomatic dialogue framework at the vice-ministerial level for foreign affairs and defense. They also agreed to collaborate on defense equipment and technology, as both countries aim to counteract China's growing military...

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Japan and Vietnam to Establish Joint Discourse Framework on Foreign Affairs and Defense

Japan and Vietnam have locked horns on Monday, y'all, agreeing to beef up their defense game with a vice-ministerial-level foreign affairs and defense dialogue framework. They're eying some serious defense equipment and technology collaboration, too, as they stand firm against China's growing military might.

In a joint presser following their Hanoi sit-down, Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Vietnam's Pham Minh Chinh declared their intent to keep and boost free trade in a nod to U.S. President Trump's protectionist policies. They plan to have their first vice-ministerial "two-plus-two" security gabfest this year in Japan to firm up their strategic bond.

With Japan considering Vietnam for its defense equipment aid program, Hanoi has its eyes set on securing any assistance it needs to beef up its defenses. This could make Vietnam the fourth recipient of Japan's Official Security Assistance, following the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia if everything goes as planned.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Ishiba shared his enthusiasm, saying, "Vietnam, you're an essential partner, and we'll stroll through this new era alongside you." Chinh, in his opening remarks, stated that Ishiba's visit was a significant move not only for Vietnam-Japan relations but also for regional peace and stability.

The duo also conferred on other juicy topics like beefing up Vietnam's maritime security capabilities and exploring partnerships in semiconductors, AI, quantum tech, decarbonization, and digitalization.

With China stepping up its military activities in the South China Sea, Japan has been building stronger security ties with ASEAN states, like Vietnam and the Philippines who share overlapping claims with China. Japan's Official Security Assistance program aims to help countries like Vietnam strengthen their defense capabilities in areas like maritime and aerial surveillance, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

While China and ASEAN members like Vietnam have been deepening economic ties through infrastructure initiatives, the meeting comes at a time when the world is grappling with Trump's unpredictable tariff moves and the trade war between the U.S. and China. Ishiba pledged to listen to Vietnam's concerns regarding tariffs with an open ear.

Ishiba kicked off his Southeast Asian tour in Vietnam on Sunday and will be meeting with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Tran Thanh Man, chairman of the National Assembly, later on Monday. He departs for the Philippines on Tuesday for talks with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., before heading back to Japan on Wednesday.

Sources:1. Japan's Foreign Ministry website2. Vietnam's Foreign Ministry website5. Straits Times

  1. Vietnam and Japan are bolstering their defense partnership, discussing potential collaboration in military technology and equipment, as they confront China's increasing military power.
  2. Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam, stating Vietnam is an essential partner for the future.
  3. Vietnam could become the fourth recipient of Japan's Official Security Assistance, a program aimed at enhancing the defense capabilities of Southeast Asian nations.
  4. The leaders of Japan and Vietnam are considering partnerships in various technologies, such as semiconductors, AI, quantum tech, decarbonization, and digitalization.
  5. Japan's increased defense cooperation with Vietnam and other ASEAN states is a strategic response to China's growing military activities in the South China Sea.
  6. The Japanese Official Security Assistance program aims to help nations like Vietnam strengthen their defense capabilities in areas like maritime and aerial surveillance, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.
  7. The meeting between Japanese and Vietnamese leaders comes amidst global trade tensions, with unpredictable tariffs and a trade war between the U.S. and China causing concern.
  8. In 2023, Japan and Vietnam plan to hold their first vice-ministerial "two-plus-two" security dialogue in Japan to further strengthen their strategic bond.
  9. Ishiba's tour of Southeast Asia includes meetings with Vietnamese and Filipino political leaders, as he seeks to bolster security ties with these nations in the face of shared, overlapping conflicts and political challenges.
Japan and Vietnam's leaders concurred on Monday to establish a dialogue framework for foreign affairs and defense at the vice-ministerial level. They also aims to collaborate in defense equipment and technology, as they grapple with China's growing military influence. A joint press release, released after discussions in Hanoi, confirmed this, with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Vietnamese counterpart announcing these intentions.

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