At the ceremony, Mr. Liem stressed that Japan is not only an important strategic partner of the city but also a reliable friend.

In the last 5 year, a number of Japanese investment projects in HCMC has doubled from 570 in Mid 2013 to nearly 1,200 till Mid 2018 (taking up 47% of total number of Japanese investment projects in Vietnam) with total capital of US$ 4 billion. Two-way trade between HCMC and Japan in 2017 reached over US$ 5 billion (accounting 16% of total two-way trade between Vietnam and Japan).

HCMC has established friendship and cooperation relations with 7 localities of Japan and well as entered into cooperation in fields of both sides’ strength such as nursing, industrial internship, human resource training, people diplomacy, cultural exchange, etc.

Mr. Liem expressed his hope that both sides, in the coming time, will positively carry out cooperation initiatives, strengthen dialogue, promote understanding and make efforts to strengthen Vietnam-Japan relations as well as Japan-HCMC relations.
 
For his part, Japanese Consul General in HCMC Kawaue Junichi affirmed that Vietnam-Japan relations are in the most prosperous period. In 2018, Vietnam and Japan celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations with many mutual visit exchanges, both sides have organized many events to celebrate this significant occasion, including a special event organized in Tokyo (Japan) in June 2018.
 
Mr. Kawaue Junichi said HCMC is a symbol for Vietnam-Japan relations with many ODA projects including Cho Ray Hospital, urban railway, cultural programs, especially enthusiastic support of the city for Japanese businesses. Based on these results, both sides will continue reinforcing and bringing Japan-Vietnam relations in general and Japan-HCMC relations in particular to a new height. 
 
On this occasion, Consulate General of Japan has awarded Certificates of Merits to 02 individuals including Chairman of Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in HCMC Nguyen Cong Tanh and Headmaster of Dong Du Japanese Language School Nguyen Duc Hoe in recognition of their contributions to the Vietnam-Japan relations.

HCM CITYWEB