Japanese public hails PM Ishiba’s visit to Vietnam
Major outlets provided detailed reports on the visit, with particular emphasis on the two PMs’ shared commitment to upholding the international order and promoting a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based trading system.
A screenshot of an article on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s official visit to Vietnam published by the Sankei Shimbun. (Photo: VNA)
Tokyo (VNA) – The Japanese media on April 28 continued extensive coverage of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s official visit to Vietnam, underscoring the significant outcomes of his high-level talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Major outlets, including the official website of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyodo News, NHK, the Asahi Shimbun, the Sankei Shimbun, and the Japan Times, provided detailed reports on the meeting. Particular emphasis was placed on the two PMs’ shared commitment to upholding the international order and promoting a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based trading system.
NHK also broadcast footage of PM Ishiba laying a wreath and paying his respects at the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh.
According to the press release cited by the Japanese media following the joint press conference, the two Government leaders agreed to upgrade the countries’ existing strategic partnership dialogue at the vice-ministerial level to a new “2+2” format involving both foreign and defence vice-ministers, with the inaugural session to be held later this year.
Kyodo and NHK also quoted PM Ishiba as stating that strengthening the relationship with Vietnam, a nation of great geopolitical importance, will contribute to the region’s stability and prosperity, and that the two nations will embark together on a new era.
Further analysis from the Japanese media included comments from Associate Professor Saya Kiba of Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, who highlighted Vietnam’s key role within Southeast Asia, where economic growth remains robust.
♎ She noted that Vietnam is among the countries poised to benefit from multilateral free trade. Amid concerns that the free trade system could be undermined by US tariff measures, economic frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are likely to become increasingly critical. Saya Kiba also underlined the significance of the high-level talks between Vietnam and Japan, given the two nations’ close economic ties./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an official welcome ceremony in Hanoi on April 28 morning for Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and his spouse who are on a three-day official visit to Vietnam.
Vietnamese and Japanese Prime Ministers expressed their delight at the strong, comprehensive and substantive development of the Vietnam - Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World after more than one year of upgrading, affirming that they will closely coordinate and further strengthen the Vietnam - Japan cooperation towards a new era of Vietnam.
Expressing gratitude and appreciation for the contributions of ODA loans and investment from Japanese enterprises to Vietnam's socio-economic development in recent times, PM Chinh shared solutions in the quartet of strategies to implement industrialisation and modernisation, including breakthroughs in science and technology development, implementing the revolution of streamlining the apparatus, developing the private economic sector, building an independent and self-reliant economy, associated with deep, substantive and effective integration.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
