By Carl Thayer
Vietnam’s relationship with Japan has an important security component that is growing and evolving.
On August 1, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida announced during his visit to Hanoi that Japan would provide Vietnam with six vessels to boost its capacity for maritime security. A month earlier, it was reported that Japan’s Diet was also considering giving Vietnam Overseas Development Assistance in the form of new patrol boats for its maritime enforcement agencies.
Media commentary at the time stressed the defense aspect of this development. Reuters, for example, reported that “the deal represents a notable shift in the two countries’ close diplomatic and investment ties towards defense, a move likely to irk an increasingly assertive China…” Reuters described the vessels as “navy boats.”
In fact, the six vessels consisted of two former Japanese Fishery Agency patrol boats and four used commercial fishing boats. The boats are quite small, weighing in at between 600 and 800 tons.
The six vessels are being provided under Japanese grant aid to Vietnam valued at ¥500 million ($4.86 million) that also includes lifeboats, radar and training. The deal for the six vessels was signed by Foreign Minister Kishida and Vietnam’s Minister for Planning and Investment, Bui Quang Vinh.
The boats are expected to be delivered by the end of 2014 and will be used exclusively by the Vietnam Coast Guard and Fishery Surveillance Force.
Read the full story at The Diplomat