(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I have one announcement at the outset today. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang of Viet Nam will visit Japan from the day after tomorrow, Sunday, July 12, to Wednesday, July 15. I will welcome Deputy Prime Minister Giang at the airport on Sunday, the 12th, and hold a Japan-Viet Nam defense ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Defense on Monday, the 13th. Deputy Prime Minister Giang’s visit to Japan will mark the first visit to Japan in five years by Viet Nam’s Defence Minister. I had an opportunity to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Giang during my courtesy call on H.E. Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party and President of Viet Nam, on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue held in late May, and I am very happy to be able to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister to Japan. Viet Nam is an important partner for Japan in realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” At the defense ministerial meeting, building on my recent courtesy call on General Secretary To Lam, we will conduct an exchange of views on the regional situation and hold candid and concrete discussions toward further strengthening defense cooperation between Japan and Viet Nam, including in the area of defense equipment and technology cooperation. On the occasion of his visit to Japan, I look forward to building a strong relationship of trust with Deputy Prime Minister Giang. That concludes my opening remarks.