August 2, 2025

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Tanaka Yu, acting secretariat head of the JCP, on July 31 in Hanoi held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son.

Tanaka thanked the Vietnamese government for its cooperation in promoting relations between the Japanese and Vietnamese people, as well as the relationship between the JCP and the Communist Party of Vietnam since the anti-U.S. national salvation war (Vietnam War) in the 1960s and 1970s. He stated that the JCP will continue contributing to further developing relations between the two parties, the two countries, and the two peoples.

Son welcomed the strengthening of cooperation between the CPV and the JCP. He stated that the further strengthening of CPV-JCP relations will make a significant contribution to developing the relationship between the two countries and their peoples.

Tanaka and Son exchanged views on regional and international issues.

Referring to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel’s campaign of genocide there, and the overall conflict in the Middle East, Tanaka expressed concern about the use of force in violation of international law. He said he notes that the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit (EAS) at its Foreign Ministers’ meeting in July adopted a statement calling for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East issues based on the UN Charter and international law. He said he agrees with Son’s remarks made at that meeting in which Son stressed the need for ASEAN to promote dialogue, respect for diplomacy and international law, and the spirit of good neighborly friendship as a “lighthouse for peace.”

Tanaka explained the JCP diplomatic proposal for peacebuilding in East Asia, and said that the JCP hopes to collaborate on advancing the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) Initiative. He also said that a peaceful resolution based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international law is important to address issues in the South and East China Seas.

Son emphasized that conflicts and disputes around the world can only be resolved through peaceful means in accordance with international law. He said that it is important for ASEAN to play a key role in addressing the South China Sea issue and to unite in seeking a peaceful resolution to the issue based on international law. Regarding Vietnam’s role as chair of the 2026 NPT Review Conference, he said that Vietnam is determined to contribute to accelerating the denuclearization process that will lead to the total elimination of nuclear weapons worldwide.