Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Nukaga Fukushiro expressed his support on December 18 for simplified procedures for Vietnamese citizens to enter Japan, towards visa exemption.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Nukaga Fukushiro at their meeting on December 18. Photo: VNA

In a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Nukaga sought to promote relations between the two legislative bodies.

He also pledged to improve conditions for Vietnamese expatriates in Japan, especially in terms of their income amid the weakening of the Japanese yen.

For his part, the Vietnamese leader suggested that the Japanese House of Representatives help strengthen the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Japan under the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

He recommended that activities should focus on strengthening cooperation and exchanges between the two parliaments, and increasing exchanges of high-level delegations and among lawmakers, especially young and female lawmakers.

He also asked for Japan's support in promoting connectivity between the two economies, helping Vietnam become an independent, self-reliant economy, accelerating its industrialization and upgrading processes, and advancing Vietnam-Japan relations in digital transformation, green transition, climate change response, natural resource protection, and national defense and security.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister urged the Speaker to promote the rapid and effective implementation of the new generation ODA program with high incentives, simple and flexible procedures for Vietnam's large-scale strategic infrastructure projects, green transition and digital transformation, inter-local and people-to-people exchanges, labor and manpower training cooperation.

At the meeting with Pham Minh Chinh, President of the House of Councillors of Japan Otsuji Hidehisa welcomed the Vietnamese head of Government to Japan for the Commemorative Summit of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation and bilateral activities.

He said the visit will help strengthen the newly established cooperation framework and deepen bilateral relations in various fields between the two countries.

Otsuji pledged to promote the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership in all fields, with priority given to strengthening close cooperation and exchanges between the two legislative bodies in the future.

In response, Prime Minister Chinh said that Otsuji's visit to Vietnam in September is one of the most important and meaningful events of the year, especially when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.

He said the Japanese lawmaker's visit has helped strengthen political trust, understanding and exchanges between Vietnamese and Japanese parliamentarians.

Prime Minister Chinh suggested that Otsuji and the House of Councillors of Japan should further promote the role of the two legislatures, strengthen bilateral relations, and support and assist Vietnam in carrying out industrialization and modernization.

He added that Japan and Vietnam should promote exchanges and friendship between parliamentarians and young lawmakers of the two nations, and provide good conditions for more than 520,000 Vietnamese living in Japan.