Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in HCM City (right), and Bùi Xuân Cường, deputy chairman of HCM City (left), at an event to celebrate the 64th birthday of the Emperor of Japan. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City vows to help strengthen the Việt Nam - Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World, part of the 64th birthday celebration of the Emperor of Japan, Naruhito (February 23), held on the evening of February 29.

During the event held by the Consulate-General of Japan in the city, Bùi Xuân Cường, deputy chairman of HCM City People’s Committee, send warm wishes to the Emperor of Japan on behalf of the city’s authority and people.

In 2023, relations between Việt Nam and Japan saw many important achievements, most notably elevation of the relation to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World”, he said.

The elevation was an important milestone for the 50th anniversary of establishing bilateral relations, and recognises the large co-operation potential and opportunities between the two countries.

HCM City has made numerous contributions to the relations, such as the successful 8th Việt Nam–Japan Festival last year, which attracted nearly 500,000 visitors and helped strengthen the sharing of friendship and culture between the two nations.

In 2023, the city drew in nearly 100 new investment projects from Japan, bringing the number of Japanese projects in the city to nearly 1,700, with an investment capital of over US$5.7 billion.

The city’s leader believes that with the support from the Emperor of Japan and efforts from both sides, Việt Nam and Japan’s partnership will deepen, creating more development opportunities for the two countries.

HCM City wishes to become a key and trustworthy partner for Japan’s localities.

Ono Masuo, consul general of Japan in HCM City, expressed his happiness with the strong development of Việt Nam - Japan relations across all fields.

Japan leads in terms of Official Development Assistance funding to Việt Nam, and is the second biggest investor to the country.

The Japanese Business Association of HCM City has over 1,060 members.

Ono Masuo gave his thanks to the city for welcoming, helping and creating favourable conditions for Japanese investors.

Around 500,000 Vietnamese are living in Japan, which is a foundation for the strong friendship between the two country’s people to grow even more, he said.

A musical performance was held at the event with a song called “Tomodachi – Tình bạn” (Friendship). — VNS