Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai receives Muraoka Tsugumasa, Governor of Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture, in Hanoi on September 7. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The extensivestrategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan is developing strongly,comprehensively and substantially with high politicaltrust, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai said when receiving Muraoka Tsugumasa,Governor of Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture, in Hanoi on September 7.
During the reception, the Deputy PMemphasised the significance of the Japanese Governor's visit to Vietnam as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment oftheir diplomatic relation this September.
He stressed that Japan is Vietnam's leading economicpartner, the biggest Official Development Assistance (ODA) provider, thesecond biggest partner in labour, the third biggest partner in investment andtourism, and the fourth largest partner in commerce.
In recent years, localities of the two countries have also actively promoted exchanges and cooperation activities. By now,about 90 pairs of localities have established ties.
Notably, the over 430,000-strong Vietnamesecommunity is the second largest expat community in Japan, which makesa practical contribution to its socio-economic development.
The Deputy PM also highly appreciated thecooperation between Vietnam and Yamaguchi prefecture. He thanked Governor Muraokafor his support of the cooperativerelationship, especially cooperation with Vietnam’s Binh Duong province.
Governor Muraoka said that sinceBinh Duong province and Yamaguchi prefecture signed an MoU on cooperation in2014, their cultural, educational and economic cooperation has been generatingpositive results.
According to the Governor, the late PrimeMinister Abe Shinzo is the person who elevated the relationship between Vietnamand Japan to an extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity inAsia. Since Vietnam shifted to a market economy, the economic relationshipbetween the two countries has increasingly developed.
He said in the context of the world economicslowdown, Vietnam’s positive growth made a significant contribution to theglobal economy.
The Japanese official said that Yamaguchi prefecture wishes to expand investment abroad, especially those from small andmedium enterprises into Vietnam.
He asked for support from the Government ofVietnam in this regard, noting that in June, the prefecture held aseminar with more than 100 local enterprises to introduce investmentopportunities in Vietnam. It will soon organise at trip to Vietnam for Japanese businesses to seek investment opportunities./.
