Vietnam, Japan deepen strategic partnership Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong recently announced he has accepted the invitation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Japan starting September 15, saying he welcomes the opportunity to strengthen relations. On the occasion, former Ambassador to Vietnam Mistuo Sakaba sat down with a VOV reporter to discuss the geopolitical implications of the General Secretary’s visit and the current state of affairs between the two nations. Following are translated excerpts capturing the gist of the interview. VOV: What do you think of Party Chief Trong’s visit to Japan? Former Ambassador Sakaba: I think the visit is an important event on the economic and political landscape as it helps shore up the ties of friendship and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. The first Vietnam leader to travel to Japan was former Party General Secretary Do Muoi. During my tenure as Ambassador, Former Party leader Nong Duc Manh also paid an official visit to Japan. Mr Trong previously travelled to Japan when he was the Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly. In my opinion, high level exchanges such as these are of the utmost significance as they ensure clear lines of communication are maintained between the parties and minimize the possibility of misunderstandings that can lead to unwarranted or undesirable outcomes. VOV: What cooperative fields will the two sides focus on during Mr Trong’s visit? Former Ambassador Sakaba: The relations between the two sides are developing in a very broad based manner and the discussions between the two sides will continue to make cooperation more extensive and comprehensive. Mr Trong is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and many other leaders to discuss specific measures to seek far ranging ties that are most meaningful to facilitate Vietnam’s in its current period of rapid international integration. During this visit, as expected, the Secretary-General will not only travel to Tokyo but will visit other Japanese communities to get a better appreciation of areas where there may be opportunity for mutual benefit such as agriculture and tourism. VOV: In a relatively short span of time, many senior Vietnam leaders have gone to Japan including State President Truong Tan Sang in 2014, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in July 2015 and now Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong. How does this bode for relations between the two countries? Former Ambassador Sakaba: Not only did the three leaders go to Japan but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also came to Vietnam. This demonstrates the closeness of relations and high importance the leaders place on keeping lines of communication open. The recent travels by Party leader Trong to China, the US and Japan to discuss international issues of mutual concern, signals the importance he places on open dialogue with international friends as the means to resolving differences particularly as it relates to maritime security and East Sea peacefully in compliance with international law. During Trong’s stay in Japan, the two sides will discuss specific measures to boost ties in the coming time, which is very important for fostering a deep and wide strategic partnership. VOV: What do you think of cooperative prospects between the two countries in the near future? Former Ambassador Sakaba: The thing that interests me most is cooperation between the two countries and the level of official development assistance (ODA) dedicated to infrastructure, particularly in networking the transportation infrastructure. It is also important to enhance education and training venues for Vietnam students and employees to train at educational institutions and in work related internships and apprenticeship in Japan to transform the nation’s workforce into one that is more productive and skilled to meet the increasing demands of industry. The number of Vietnam tourists spending holidays in Japan has also risen to a record high 120,000 in 2014 and is expected to mushroom to 170,000 in 2015. People-to-people exchanges play an important role in traversing the cultural and pedagogical divide and developing sound friendship between the peoples. Of course, as in any relationship, open lines of communication among the political leadership, the business communities and civil society are first and foremost. The key to long lasting deep relationship are based on cultural closeness and understanding. VOV: Thank you very much. VOV