Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives delegation from Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in the Kansai Region
WVR - On the afternoon of November 3, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Nishimura Teiichi, President of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in the Kansai region, along with members of the association visiting and working in Vietnam.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Mr. Nishimura Teiichi, President of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Kansai. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper) |
Welcoming President Nishimura Teiichi and the delegation of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Kansai visiting Vietnam on the occasion of the association's 30th anniversary, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated and thanked the association for its valuable sentiments and effective contributions through numerous practical activities for Vietnam over the past 30 years, including support for the community of over 100,000 Vietnamese living and studying in Kansai.
Expressing delight at the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, which has developed well across all fields, the Prime Minister noted that Vietnam-Japan relations enjoy high political trust.
Japan remains Vietnam's number one partner in ODA cooperation (with approximately $23 billion by the end of fiscal year 2024) and labor cooperation, the third-largest investor, and the fourth-largest trade and tourism partner, with bilateral trade reaching $48.18 billion.
Additionally, cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and high-quality human resource training is a new pillar being actively promoted by both countries. Local cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural exchanges are becoming increasingly dynamic and close-knit.
The Vietnamese community in Japan has grown to over 630,000 people, and there are currently more than 2,000 Japanese enterprises investing and doing business in Vietnam.
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| Overview of the meeting. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper) |
Highlighting the role and importance of the Kansai region in Japan-Vietnam relations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted that investments from Kansai enterprises account for 30% of Japan's total investment in Vietnam, and trade between Kansai and Vietnam makes up about 25% of the two countries' trade volume.
Kansai is a leading region in Japan for dynamic cooperation with Vietnamese localities, with over 10 pairs of friendship cooperation relationships with Vietnamese localities.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the President of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Kansai and the association to continue supporting and promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan to develop more effectively and substantively.
He called on Japanese enterprises, especially those in Kansai, to increase investment in Vietnam, particularly in processing industries, supporting industries, high-tech agriculture, biotechnology, digital transformation, and green transformation, along with technology transfer.
He encouraged activities to promote economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, such as organizing cherry blossom festivals in Vietnam and expanding local cooperation between Kansai and Vietnamese localities.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking at the meeting. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper) |
The President of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Kansai expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for taking the time to meet the delegation. Over the past 30 years since its establishment, the association has actively contributed to fostering the increasingly positive development of Vietnam-Japan relations.
The association has advocated and supported the establishment of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka, actively connected businesses from both countries, supported Japanese enterprises in investing in Vietnam, and organized numerous activities to promote Vietnam, cultural exchanges, sports, and support for Vietnamese students living in Kansai.
Recognizing the crucial role of Vietnamese human resources in Japan's development, Mr. Nishimura Teiichi stated that the association will continue to serve as a bridge with Vietnam through investment promotion seminars and fostering relationships between ministries, sectors, and localities of both countries.
The association will continue efforts to introduce and promote Vietnam's potential, advantages, and cooperation opportunities to Japanese businesses, investors, and partners, hoping for the Government and Prime Minister's support for these activities to contribute to the further development of Vietnam-Japan relations.
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| Mr. Nishimura Teiichi, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Kansai, speaking at the meeting. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper) |
Addressing some proposals from members of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Kansai, the Prime Minister affirmed that the Vietnamese Government is ready to create all favourable conditions for Japanese enterprises, especially those in Kansai, to successfully invest and do business in Vietnam.
The Prime Minister noted that Vietnam is in a demographic golden age, ready to supply labour to Japan, but emphasized the need for enhanced training in knowledge, culture, skills, and legal aspects to meet Japan's requirements.
He urged the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Kansai to continue promoting cooperation in science, technology, and high-quality human resource training by strengthening connections between educational institutions, universities, and research institutes in Kansai and Vietnam. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also expressed hope that the association will continue to support the Vietnamese community studying, working, and living in Kansai.
Recalling his previous meetings with Prime Minister Chinh in various roles, Mr. Nishimura Teiichi and the delegation members stated that they, along with the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Kansai, will continue to call on Japanese enterprises to cooperate and invest in Vietnam, promote local cooperation, and expand cooperation in human resource training and other fields as suggested by the Prime Minister.
| The Kansai region of Japan consists of 9 provinces, with a strong economic connection, covering an area of 31,000 km2 (8% of Japan's area), a population of nearly 23 million (equivalent to 16% of Japan's population), and a GDP of approximately $800 billion (equivalent to 16% of Japan's GDP). This is a major economic center, with Kansai enterprises highly integrated into the international economy, especially with Asia. It is also a training hub with many renowned universities and high-tech research and development centers. |
