Vietnam and Japan conducted a defence consultation meeting in Tokyo on February 21 in preparation for ASEAN Year 2020, with Vietnam sharing activities to be launched this year when it undertakes the role of ASEAN Chair and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh meets
with Japanese Minister of Defence Taro Kono (L)

The Japanese side expressed confidence that with thorough preparations, Vietnam would successfully host important activities, including ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM), 10th anniversary of ADMM, international exhibition of defence equipment, and international conference on the role of women and UN peacekeeping activities.

Concerning bilateral defence partnership, both sides consented to intensify the exchange of delegations, especially among high-level ones, maintain and improve collaboration mechanisms, particularly the deputy-ministerial defence policy dialogue, UN peacekeeping, cyber security, search and rescue, and settlement of post-war consequences.
The same day, Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh had talks with his Japanese counterpart Nishida Yasunori.

The two defence leaders highly appreciated the results and the consensus reached by both defence ministries at their earlier meeting.

At the end of the talks, the two sides agreed to assign competent agencies to implement the agreed contents with the immediate task of preparing carefully for the visit to Vietnam by the Joint Chief of Staff of Japan, scheduled to take place in March 2020.

Earlier he had a meeting with Japanese Minister of Defence Taro Kono, during which he invited the Japanese minister to pay an official visit to Vietnam at a convenient time, and attend the ADMM, slated for October 2020.

The Japanese minister accepted the invitation with pleasure and affirmed his support for Vietnam in the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020.

He also voiced his hope for the organization of the ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting on the sidelines of the ADMM in Vietnam.