In a warm and friendly atmosphere, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako expressed their pleasure at the positive, substantive and comprehensive development of Viet Nam-Japan relations, as well as increasingly vibrant exchanges between the two countries’ leaders and people.
They recalled memories of the Japanese Imperial Family’s close ties with Viet Nam and its people through several meaningful visits to Viet Nam by members of the Imperial Family, such as the 2017 visit by the then Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko; the 2009 official visit by Emperor Naruhito, then Crown Prince; and the 2023 visit by Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam (second from left) and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly pose for a photo with Emperor Naruhito (second from right) and Empress Masako in Tokyo on November 11. |
General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his sincere thanks for the affection and attention that Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other members of the Japanese Imperial Family have shown to the Vietnamese people and to bilateral friendship and cooperation over the years.
He conveyed the greetings of Viet Nam’s leaders and people to Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. He described their 2017 visit to Viet Nam, when they were Emperor and Empress, as an important historical milestone in bilateral relations and a cherished memory that the Vietnamese people will always hold dear.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako expressed their pleasure at welcoming General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse on their official visit to Japan, expressing confidence that its success will help strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The Emperor also shared insights into the long history of exchanges and ties between the two countries’ people, noting that the longstanding people-to-people exchanges and cultural similarities between the two countries provided an important foundation for strengthening ties between their people and building the strong friendship and cooperation they enjoy today.
During the meeting, the Vietnamese leader and his spouse shared their impressions of various cultural exchange activities during their visit, as well as similarities in the character and culture of the two countries.
The General Secretary and President highlighted considerable potential for the two countries to expand cooperation in education and training, high-quality human resources development, healthcare, culture, tourism and agriculture in the years ahead.
On this occasion, he, on behalf of the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, invited Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to visit Viet Nam in the near future to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2028. He said such a visit will be an important historical event anticipated by both countries’ people.
The Emperor and Empress thanked him for the invitation and expressed their wish to visit Viet Nam soon.
At noon on the same day, the Emperor and Empress hosted a court luncheon at the Imperial Palace in honor of General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse.
Source: VNA