Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh heads to the Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations. Photo: VNA

The PM’s trip is significant as Vietnam and Japan just upgraded their relationship to "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world" during President Vo Van Thuong's visit to Japan last November. ASEAN and Japan established their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Indonesia last September.

The Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations in Tokyo from Friday to Monday is a particularly important occasion. The leaders of ASEAN and Japan are expected to review the past 50 years of cooperation and set out a vision and direction for developing relations in the new period.

The Summit will approve two documents: "Vision Statement on friendship and cooperation between ASEAN and Japan: Trusted partner" and "Plan to implement the Vision Statement on friendship and cooperation between ASEAN and Japan: Trusted partner".