Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 16 received Japan's Yamaguchi Governor Muraoka Tsugumasa in Hanoi, who was in Vietnam to attend the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Yamaguchi and southern Binh Duong province.

During the reception, the PM suggested Yamaguchi prefecture establish partnerships with other Vietnamese localities, apart from Binh Duong.

The Vietnam News Agency quoted the PM as noting the robust, substantive, and all-round growth of the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, underpinned by a high level of political trust, and saying that Japan remains a leading important economic partner, the biggest ODA supplier, the top labor cooperation partner, the third largest investor, and the fourth biggest trade and tourism partner of Vietnam.

Locality-to-locality exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have also flourished, with over 100 agreements on the establishment of partnerships signed, the PM went on.

Briefing Mr. Muraoka and his entourage on Vietnam’s major strategic breakthroughs in institution, infrastructure, and workforce, PM Chinh called on Japan to continue its support for Vietnam in implementing these breakthroughs, while fostering cultural exchange, labour cooperation, high-quality personnel training, and joint efforts in response to aging population.

He lauded collaboration outcomes between Binh Duong and Yamaguchi over the past decade, and suggested them expand exchanges and cooperation, promoting the export of Vietnam’s signature products to Yamaguchi and vice versa.

The leader thanked Yamaguchi authorities for creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese in the prefecture, helping them improve their livelihoods, skills, and integration into the host society, and expressed his hope for stronger labor cooperation between the two sides.

Mr. Muraoka expressed his delight at the elevation of the Vietnam-Japan ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, stressing Vietnam’s growing influence on the global stage.

He appreciated the PM’s suggestions on cooperation expansion and pledged to explore further collaboration opportunities with Binh Duong and other localities across spheres.

The Japanese official also reaffirmed Yamaguchi’s commitment to strengthening workforce training and called on Vietnam to open its doors for the locality’s specialties.