PM Chính Suggests Expanding Partnerships Between Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture and Vietnamese Localities

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Monday proposed that Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture establish partnerships with additional localities in Vietnam, beyond its current cooperation with Bình Dương province. This suggestion was made during a meeting with Yamaguchi Governor Muraoka Tsugumasa, who was in Hanoi to attend the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Yamaguchi and Bình Dương.

Prime Minister Chính highlighted the significant and comprehensive growth of the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership, which is characterized by high levels of political trust. He noted that Japan is Vietnam’s leading economic partner, the largest supplier of Official Development Assistance (ODA), the top labour cooperation partner, the third-largest investor, and the fourth-largest trade and tourism partner.

He also underscored the success of locality-to-locality exchanges between the two nations, citing over 100 agreements signed to establish partnerships. The Prime Minister briefed Governor Muraoka on Vietnam’s key strategic achievements in areas such as institutional reforms, infrastructure, and workforce development. He called for Japan’s continued support in these areas, especially in fostering cultural exchange, labour cooperation, high-quality personnel training, and addressing challenges related to an aging population.

The Prime Minister praised the fruitful collaboration between Bình Dương and Yamaguchi over the past decade and encouraged further exchanges, particularly in promoting the export of Vietnam’s signature products to Yamaguchi and vice versa. He also thanked Yamaguchi authorities for their support in improving the lives and integration of Vietnamese residents in the prefecture, expressing hope for enhanced labour cooperation in the future.

Governor Muraoka expressed his happiness at the strengthening of the Vietnam-Japan relationship, noting Vietnam’s growing influence globally. He appreciated the Prime Minister’s suggestions on expanding cooperation and pledged to explore more opportunities with Bình Dương and other Vietnamese localities. He also reaffirmed Yamaguchi’s commitment to enhancing workforce training and invited Vietnam to explore the prefecture’s specialties for further collaboration.