Takaichi emphasizes historical trade and shared value of free and open seas with Vietnam.

Takaichi emphasizes historical trade and shared value of free and open seas with Vietnam.

[Foreign Policy Speech by Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae] 1. Opening RemarksDear students, esteemed faculty members of Vietnam National University,H.E. Mr. Le Hoai Trung, Foreign Minister,Mr. Bui The Duy, Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi,and distinguished guests, Good afternoon.I am TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan. It is a pleasure to visit Hanoi once again. Six years ago, when I visited in my capacity as Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, I was also warmly welcomed. It feels as if I have returned to my second home. If I have another opportunity to visit Vietnam, I would very much like to visit Hoi An, a World Heritage site overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. I wish to walk in the footsteps of the former Japanese community that once flourished there. In the old town, there is the “Japanese Bridge (Nihonbashi)”, whose restoration was completed two years ago with Japan’s cooperation. This bridge, which has withstood the passage of more than 400 years, tells the story of centuries of exchange between Japan and Vietnam. More than 400 years ago, from the South China Sea, through the Taiwan Strait, and on to the East China Sea, Japanese and Vietnamese people engaged in dynamic trade. Together, we have enjoyed the blessings of free and open seas. There are few partners who understand the value of this more deeply than we do.With this spirit, in 2013, then-Prime Minister Abe chose Vietnam as the destination for his first overseas visit after taking office. With these thoughts in mind, I too have long looked forward to visiting Vietnam at the earliest opportunity since assuming my current post. Today, I feel deeply honored to stand before you—the students who will shoulder the important role of carrying forward the long history of exchanges between our two countries into the next era, and who will bear responsibility for the future of Vietnam and Asia. Before moving on to the main subject, let me begin with a brief quiz. Do you know what these are?(Showing pictures of AirPods and the Nintendo Switch 2 on the screen.) I am sure the students among you already know. Yes, these are Apple’s AirPods, which enjoy immense popularity among young people, and the Nintendo Switch 2, a product Japan takes great pride in. Ten years ago, “Made in Vietnam” typically referred to clothing and textiles. Today, however, numerous global companies have established a presence in Vietnam, and many of the gadgets supporting youth culture are now manufactured here. Moreover, many of these electronic products incorporate cutting-edge Japanese technology in their core components. Vietnam’s manufacturing industry has now become an indispensable supplier to the global market, forging an inseparable relationship with the Japanese economy as well. At the three Thang Long Industrial Parks near Hanoi, 205 Japanese companies operate, providing employment to approximately 100,000 people and serving as important hubs in the international supply chains for Japanese manufacturers. For example, Cano