Three Reasons Vietnam Has Become Important to Japan

Abstract

AbstractThe year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam in September 1973. In this article, the author gives an overview of the Japan-Vietnam relationship over the past 50 years and explains how Vietnam today has become important to Japan with a focus on three areas in particular. Additional informationNotes on contributorsUmeda KunioUmeda Kunio is a former Japanese diplomat. He served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Brazil from January 28, 2014, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam from October 21, 2016 until he retired from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2020. He graduated from the Faculty of Law, Kyoto University and entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1978. Major publications include the following. “Betonamu o Kaishite Miru Higashi Ajia no Kaiyo Anzen to Bei-Chu Haken Arasoi [Maritime Security in East Asia and the US-China Hegemony Struggle Observed through Vietnam],” The Japan Economic Research Institute Monthly Report, April 2021. “Konna ni Chigau Chugoku to Betonamu [So Different China and Vietnam], WEDGE magazine, May 2021. Betonamu o Shireba Mietekuru Nihon no Kiki [The Crisis of Japan Revealed by Knowing Vietnam], Shogakukan Inc., June 2021. “Tayorini naru Yuho, Betonamu no Jitsuzo [Our Reliable Friend, The Reality of Vietnam]” Seiron magazine, October 2021 issue. Special contribution “Ko Abe Moto Sori no Nichi-Etsu Kankei e no Koken [Contribution of the Late Former Prime Minister Abe to Japan-Vietnam Relations],” JIJI News Bulletin, September 2022. “Rodoryoku Busoku to Gaikokujin Rodosha [Labor Shortage and Foreign Workers],” Kasumigasekikai Kaiho monthly bulletin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, November 2022.