What did the Japanese media say about the Emperor's visit to Vietnam?

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko began their first state visit to Vietnam from February 28 to March 5. Before this event, Japanese media reported and used many beautiful words to praise the relationship between the two countries.

The Emperor and Empress visited President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum on the morning of March 1.

Kyodo news agency quoted Emperor Akihito at Haneda airport, Tokyo before starting his visit to Vietnam: "We were honored to welcome President Nguyen Minh Triet in 2007 and President Truong Tan Sang in 2014, and we have received invitations to come to Vietnam."

The Emperor continued: “We hope that this visit to Vietnam will help further develop mutual understanding and friendly relations between our two countries.”

According to Asahi Shimbun, although the two countries had a stormy relationship in the past, Vietnam and Japan are gradually improving their relationship. Currently, Japan is Vietnam's leading economic partner.

Specifically, Japan was the first G7 country to recognize Vietnam's market economy status (October 2011). Japan is also currently the largest ODA donor to Vietnam, the second largest investor in Vietnam, and the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the relationship between Vietnam and Japan is at its best in history since the two countries established diplomatic relations with high trust. The two countries' senior leaders maintain regular visits and contacts at international and regional forums, cooperate closely, and support each other at multilateral forums.

This is the Emperor's first overseas visit since he announced his intention to abdicate in a short video broadcast on Japanese television in late August last year. The Emperor expressed concern that his age would one day make it difficult for him to fulfill his lofty duties as king.

Emperor Akihito is 83 years old this year. He is the 125th emperor of Japan, succeeding to the throne since 1989.

Empress Michiko is 82 years old this year. She is the daughter of the president of a Japanese corporation. After her wedding in 1959, she became the first commoner to be recognized as a member of the imperial family.

According to TPO/Kyodo, Asahi Shimbun