Middle Powers in International Relations: Comparative Analysis of Conceptual Approaches

Abstract

The article discusses the formation and deepening of the strategic partnership between Japan and Vietnam, the structural characteristics of relations in the spheres of politics and security, as well as the commonality of interests and the limits of rapprochement between the two countries. The comprehensive improvement of Japanese-Vietnamese relations is based on a combination of strategic and economic interests. The first part of the article is devoted to the key trends in the development of relations between Japan and Vietnam. The second part defines areas of convergence of interests and constraints on the path of further rapprochement between Tokyo and Hanoi. The author makes the assumption that the strategic cooperation between the two countries will continue to expand in the future due to the fact that it is based on a broad coincidence of mutual interests, both strategic and economic.