Society

HCM City marks upcoming Japanese National Day

Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem sounded his confidence about the future of Vietnam – Japan relations at a December 11 ceremony marking the upcoming 80 th birthday of Japan’s Emperor Akhito and the National Day of Japan.
Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liemsounded his confidence about the future of Vietnam – Japan relations ata December 11 ceremony marking the upcoming 80 th birthday of Japan’sEmperor Akhito and the National Day of Japan.

Liem said hisoptimism is founded on thriving investment and trade ties. As ofSeptember, Japan became the city’s fifth largest investor with 619projects topping 2 billion USD. The city also partnered with variousJapanese localities on a number of urban projects.

Japan is always a friend and trustworthy partner of Vietnam, Liem noted.

The Japanese Consul General in HCM City, Hida Harumitsu, shared thisview, stating that the bilateral relationship is currently at its peakover the past 40 years. He said he hopes the partnership will move toyet greater heights next year.

On the economic front, Japanpoured 5.1 billion USD in Vietnam last year, or 40 percent of thecountry’s foreign direct investment. In the past 11 months, the figurejumped to 5.7 billion USD, making Japan the biggest investor in thecountry.

During the 2013 Japan – Vietnam Friendship Year, HCMCity and southern localities hosted a string of cultural exchanges tolink their people together.

Also on December 11, theVietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the municipal chapter ofthe Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association also hosted a similar event.-VNA
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