Vietnam considers Japan a top important and long-term partner, and supports Japan in playing an increasingly active role to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi during their phone talks on October 22.

Foreign ministers of ASEAN countries and Japan agreed on the importance of freedom of navigation in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) during their virtual meeting on August 3.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi have agreed to cooperate in efforts to end ethnic conflicts in Myanmar.