Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse had a meeting with Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday (local time), as part of the top Vietnamese official’s visit to Japan from Monday through Thursday.

This was their first meeting since they took office.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito proclaimed his enthronement to the world in October 2019, while Thuong was elected as the Vietnamese state president in March this year.

Naruhito has cherished Vietnam since he was a prince, said Nguyen Phu Binh, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan during the 2008-11 period.

After his trip to Vietnam in 2009, Naruhito received an invitation to visit the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan due to his deep love for the Southeast Asian country.

“This was the only visit to a foreign embassy made by the Japanese royal family,” Binh told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Emperor Naruhito’s deep affection for Vietnam was also reflected through his participation in a conference held in 2009 at a Japanese university to mark the 10th anniversary of Hoi An Ancient Town’s recognition as a world heritage site.

President Thuong held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday.

The two leaders announced their decision at a press briefing on the same day to elevate their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Accordingly, Vietnam and Japan issued a joint statement on the elevation of their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

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