Japanese Emperor visits Vietnam: A historic event in bilateral relations

Mr. Hatsuhisa Takashima said that the visit to Vietnam by the Japanese King and Queen is a historic event in the relationship between the two countries.

At the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang and his wife, the Japanese Emperor and Empress will pay a State visit to Vietnam from February 28 to March 5. Mr. Hatsuhisa Takashima, Envoy and Press Secretary of the Japanese Emperor, spoke to the press about the significance of the visit to the relationship between the two countries.

Mr. Hatsuhisa Takashima, Messenger and Press Secretary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

PV: Could you please tell us the significance of the upcoming visit to Vietnam by the Japanese Emperor and Empress? Why is this visit considered highly symbolic for the relationship between the two countries?

Mr. Hatsuhisa Takashima: The relationship between Vietnam and Japan has actually developed very well since the 8th century. Then from the 16th century, this relationship entered the subconscious of the Japanese people and continued to be good until today. Especially during and after World War II, this relationship had periods of stagnation, but up to now, it has developed remarkably.

In that context, leaders of the two sides often visit each other and this is very important. However, this is the first time the Japanese Emperor and Empress have visited Vietnam.

Many times, Vietnamese leaders have invited the King and Queen to visit Vietnam, and the King and Queen have also expressed their joy if they could visit Vietnam. For the Japanese people, the King and Queen are symbols, so the King and Queen's visit to Vietnam is also a joy for all Japanese people. In my opinion, this is a historic event in the relationship between the two countries.

PV:How do you evaluate the current relationship between Vietnam and Japan?

Mr. Hatsuhisa Takashima: The relationship between Japan and ASEAN countries in general is very good. In particular, the relationship between Vietnam and Japan is very close. It may be because the feelings between the Vietnamese and Japanese people are very close and the mutual visits of the leaders of the two countries take place frequently, making the relationship close.

To strengthen that friendly relationship, the two countries have done a lot of work. In particular, Japan is the largest development aid country for Vietnam and wants to help Vietnam develop.

Currently, many Japanese companies are actively investing in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In Hanoi, the two sides have actively cooperated to build the Japan-Vietnam University and have begun training the first course. Many Japanese teachers are teaching here.

The Vietnam-China relationship does not stop at economic cooperation and human resource development, but is also strengthened in the field of infrastructure.

PV: Could you please tell us the Japanese King's opinion (impression) of Vietnam?

Mr. Hatsuhisa Takashima:Although I did not hear directly from the Japanese Emperor about his impressions of Vietnam, during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Vietnam last January, I also heard the first message that President Tran Dai Quang and the leaders of Vietnam were looking forward to the Japanese Emperor and Empress visiting Vietnam and asked them to convey the wishes of the Vietnamese people to the Emperor and Empress.

The King himself has long received wishes for him to visit Vietnam from many people, so in his heart, the King really wants to make this visit.

In fact, the Japanese Emperor and Empress rarely make foreign visits. And this year, the visit to Vietnam is the first foreign visit, and is very well supported by all Japanese people, so the Emperor is very happy.

On the other hand, the Princes themselves have visited Vietnam many times and the King has heard stories about Vietnam from his children. Moreover, the King is a fish researcher, and Vietnam is also a country with a sea with fish species that the King has studied and discovered. That is also the reason why the King came to Vietnam this time.

PV:Thank you very much./

According to VOV