Vietnam Offers Support to Earthquake Victims; Japanese Media Commends Vietnamese Rescue Team

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on July 29 sent a message of condolences to Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae over significant losses of life and property caused by a recent earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture and the Kyushu region. Vietnam’s representative offices in Japan immediately contacted local authorities through the international affairs divisions of Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Oita and Miyazaki prefectures, as well as Vietnamese community associations in the affected areas, to assess the situation and stand ready to provide timely assistance for Vietnamese citizens impacted by the disaster. The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and its labour management board are actively implementing citizen protection measures and maintaining close contact with relevant organisations and companies employing Vietnamese workers in the affected areas to monitor the situation. Japanese media have also lauded the prompt response and dedicated efforts of the Vietnamese rescue team during the earthquake, highlighting their commendable contributions. This event is seen as a testament to the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Japan and the spirit of mutual assistance during challenging times. Other sections of the original article discuss economic, diplomatic, and social affairs in various ASEAN countries, which are not directly related to Vietnam's response to the earthquake disaster. Malaysia is currently ranked sixth globally in the semiconductor industry, especially in assembly, testing, and packaging, but the country aims to strengthen its position by expanding into higher value activities such as IC design. The Vietnam visit by President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Khuon Sudary provides fresh momentum for accelerating existing cooperation plans, particularly in sectors with strong growth potential. The Lao Government, during its regular meeting for July, instructed relevant ministries, sectors and localities to urgently study investment options for an oil pipeline linking Laos and Vietnam, aiming to strengthen national energy security amid growing volatility in the global fuel market. Malaysia's overall rice supply remains at a healthy level, with total trading stocks standing at 1.249 million metric tonnes as of July 14, including a 200,000 metric tonne stockpile capable of meeting national demand for 6.2 months. NBC Governor Chea Serey said growth will be driven by rising exports of garments, non-garment manufactured goods and agricultural products, alongside continued inflows of foreign direct investment. Alongside domestic capacity building, Thailand is seeking to strengthen regional semiconductor cooperation. Its proposals include establishing an ASEAN Talent Observatory to forecast workforce demand, expanding the Thailand Skill Bridge platform, promoting joint research and development (R&D) programmes, and incorporating photonics and printed circuit boards into the ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap. According to a written reply by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) published on the Dewan Negara (Senate) website on July 29, the health and economic costs associated with vaping-related illnesses significantly outweigh the 354.51 million MYR in excise duty collected from e-cigarette products between 2023 and June 11, 2026. Thailand remains a highly attractive destination for Muslim travellers, but maintaining its leadership position will require continued investment and a structured approach to strengthening its Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem. AI does not create misinformation but enables false content to be produced and disseminated more quickly and easily. ASEAN should therefore strengthen trusted information sources, improve the public's ability to identify false information and encourage greater accountability among digital platforms. Participants at the panel discussion on ASEAN’s role in promoting rules-based maritime cooperation highlighted the bloc’s strategic role in maritime governance amid intensifying geopolitical competition, supply chain disruptions and growing non-traditional security threats. Speaking at a regional energy conference in Selangor state on July 29, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that while ASEAN member states are placing strong emphasis on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, nuclear energy has not received the attention it deserves. Representatives from both sides concurred on strengthening coordination to ensure that humanitarian assistance for citizens of both countries is delivered fully and effectively at a meeting held at the Ban Khlong Luek international border crossing in Thailand's Sa Kaeo province on July 29. An Indonesian official reaffirmed the country's ambition to strengthen its position as ASEAN's business events hub while promoting high-quality and sustainable tourism that generates greater added value. In a statement released on July 29, Indonesia’s Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya said the creative economy is closely aligned with young people, making partnerships with digital platforms and creative media essential to strengthening the sector's ecosystem. In his opening remarks, Lao NA Vice President Vilayvong Boutdakham highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change, natural disasters and energy shortages, noting that these issues are having significant impacts on livelihoods and sustainable development across the region. Professional journalism must move beyond conventional practices. In addition to chronicling events, the media has a role in helping the public better understand ASEAN policies, making it a vital partner in advancing regional integration, according to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to expand by 4.9% in 2026 and 5% in 2027. Inflation is projected to rise to 2.1% in 2026 and 2.3% in 2027, driven by higher wages and energy prices, while unemployment is expected to decline further to a healthy 2.9% in 2026. Police said the Chinese man and three Thai suspects were arrested last week after the Chinese embassy sought legal action against criminals who had misused stolen credit card data from 1,200 Chinese tourists in Thailand. They were part of a criminal network operating in China, Thailand and the US. Around 50 children aged between one and 14 participated in the exchange activities with diplomats from ASEAN member states. Cambodian media described the NA President’s official visit as a success, saying it has further deepened the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.