The article said JapanesePrime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Vietnam in January while Emperor Akihito andEmpress Michiko made a historic visit to Vietnam in late February – early March,and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tadamori Oshima travelled tothe country in May.
The high-level visits havelifted bilateral ties to their highest level in every aspect, from diplomacy,national defence-security, economy, trade and investment, human resourcesdevelopment to people-to-people exchange, it said.
Japan is Vietnam’s topdevelopment partner, the second biggest investor, the third largest source oftourist arrivals and the fourth largest trade partner. Japan has also becomethe top destination for Vietnamese youths with more than 600,000 studying acrossthe country. More than 100,000 Vietnamese graduates work in Japan, contributingto the host country’s development.
On the occasion, aVietnam-Japan business forum, the largest of its kind, will open on June 5 featuringmore than 1,500 enterprises, during which PM Phuc will convey the Vietnamesegovernment’s determination to create a healthy and transparent business environment,helping Japanese enterprises do business.
Opportunities for Japanesefirms are plentiful, particularly in infrastructure, construction, transport,telecommunications, food and agriculture, small and medium-sized technologicalfirms and public-private partnership in logistics, tourism, services, healthcare, services, education and support industries.
The Vietnamese governmentwelcomes new investment from Japan, it said, adding that Vietnam considersJapanese firms’ success as its own and Vietnam’s success as Japan’s.
During the stay, the Vietnameseguest was invited to speak at the opening of the 23rd InternationalConference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo from June 5-6.
Themed “Globalism at acrossroads – Asia’s next move”, the conference is expected to attract more than400 politicians, government leaders, corporate executives and experts in theregion and the world.
In his speech, the PM willmention Vietnam’s commitment to peace, stability and development in the region.
The visit is forecast to boostthe extensive strategic partnership for peace, security and prosperity in theregion.
The Japan Times also conveyedmessages from major Japanese groups such as Mitsubishi, Sijitz, Sumitomowelcoming PM to Japan.-VNA