2009 saw numerous difficulties and challenges facing the whole world, including natural disasters, epidemics, climate change and particularly the global financial and economic turmoil, which took a heavy toll on every economy, including Vietnam and Japan. In spite of those difficulties, relations between the two countries still bore fruit in all areas, from politics to economics, culture, science, technology, education and training.

2009 started with a visit to Vietnam in February by Crown Prince Naruhito, which marked a milestone in bilateral relations. It was followed by the visits to Japan by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh (in April) and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (in May and November) to finalise the 2006 joint statement, which raised the then bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.

Both countries made important economic achievements by implementing the bilateral agreements, including the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement signed in December 2008.

In 2009 Japan was still Vietnam’s largest trading partner and its third largest foreign investor. It also took the lead amongst foreign investors in capital disbursement. The Northeast Asian nation was also Vietnam’s largest aid donor, committing more than US$1.6 billion.

Although Japan’s unemployment rate has hit a three-year record high due to the adverse effects of the global economic recession, it received more than 6,000 Vietnamese trainees to work and study there. It also announced a programme to train 1,000 Vietnamese that hold PhD’s, starting in September 2009.

Cultural exchanges were promoted with the organisation of a cherry tree festival in Hanoi, a Japanese festival in the UNESCO-recognised Hoi An ancient city and a Vietnamese festival in Tokyo.

In July 2009, the Vietnamese Association was established, uniting Vietnamese societies in Japan such as those in Kanto and Kansai regions and other parts of Japan, as well as the Vietnam Youth and Students Association (VYSA).

Now Vietnamese nationals in Japan have a single association with a membership of 37,000, to represent their rights and interests during their studies and stay in Japan.

To mark the upcoming lunar New Year – the Year of the Tiger, ambassador Nguyen Phu Binh extended his greetings to all Vietnamese nationals in Japan and said he hopes that relations between the two countries will continue to grow and flourish.