The two defense ministers held talks following the ceremony.
During the talks, General Giang expressed his pleasure at leading the high-ranking MND delegation on an official visit to Japan at a time when bilateral relations continue to develop positively across all fields, including politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, culture, education, and training. He emphasized that the visit provides an opportunity for both sides to translate common perceptions on defense cooperation reached by the two countries’ senior leaders into concrete actions; strengthen the trusting, close and substantive ties between the two defense ministries, and further advance bilateral defense cooperation.
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The two defense ministers review the guards-of-honor. |
Minister Koizumi Shinjiro welcomed General Giang and the Vietnamese delegation, noting that the talks would review the effectiveness of bilateral defense ties in recent years and discuss measures to further deepen the ties in the time ahead.
In a spirit of frankness and sincerity, the two sides assessed that bilateral defense cooperation has constantly expanded and achieved positive results. They agreed to continue implementing agreed areas of cooperation, focusing on high-level delegation exchanges, cooperation mechanisms and exchanges, education and training, defense industry, war legacy remediation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and United Nations peacekeeping operations. They were unanimous in coordinating and supporting each other at international multilateral forums, particularly within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM+).
Exchanging views on regional and international developments and issues of mutual concern, Minister Giang reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, diversification and multilateralization of foreign relations and that Vietnam wishes to be a friend to all countries and remains steadfast in its “Four Nos” defense policy.
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General Phan Van Giang (left) and Japanese Minister of Defense Koizumi Shinjiro |
Regarding the East Sea (aka South China Sea) issue, General Giang reiterated that Vietnam advocates resolving disputes and differences through peaceful means on the basis of international law, including UNCLOS 1982. Vietnam supports the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and looks forward to the early conclusion of a substantive, effective, and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
General Giang also expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan for its active support in addressing the consequences of war in Vietnam, and thanked Japan's Ministry of Defense for annually providing military scholarships to Vietnamese military officers. He hoped for Japan’s continued scholarship programs, expansion of training opportunities, and increase of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships in science, technology, and engineering for Vietnamese military personnel.
Gen. Giang emphasized that the Vietnamese MND is willing to receive Japanese officers for international defense officials' courses and Vietnamese language training at military academies and schools.
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General Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation during the talks |
Emphasizing that search and rescue (SAR) cooperation is both meaningful and necessary, General Giang expressed his hope that the two sides' SAR forces would continue to realize the Memorandum of Understanding on SAR Cooperation, signed in December 2025, through practical and effective cooperative activities.
On this occasion, the Vietnamese defense chief invited leaders of Japan's Ministry of Defense, the Japan Self-Defense Forces, and Japanese defense industry enterprises to attend the third Vietnam Defense Expo, scheduled for December 2026.
For his part, Minister Koizumi Shinjiro affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Japan in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
He recalled Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's official visit to Vietnam in May 2026, during which the two countries announced the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Vision initiative. He also referred to his meeting with General Secretary and State President of Vietnam To Lam on the sidelines of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, as well as the official visit to Vietnam by Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of Japan General Uchikura Hiroaki in June. These high-level exchanges, he noted, demonstrate the positive development of bilateral relations.
The Japanese minister stressed that against the backdrop of an increasingly complex international environment, close coordination and stronger ties between the two defense ministries provide a solid foundation for both sides to share perspectives on issues of common concern.
Agreeing with the views expressed by General Giang, Minister Koizumi Shinjiro affirmed that Japan's Ministry of Defense will work closely with Vietnam's MND to effectively implement the agreed areas of cooperation, promoting bilateral defense ties commensurate with the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.
Translated by Mai Huong