The Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, Nguyen Phu Binh, made this remark at the first congress of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship League of Aichi prefecture on March 24.

Binh highlighted recent milestones in Vietnam-Japan relations, particularly last year’s celebrations of the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito’s official visit to Vietnam in February 2009.

The ambassador said both Vietnam and Japan are confronting difficulties due to the ongoing global economic crisis. Therefore, strengthening cooperation between the two countries will help to overcome challenges and create a sustainable foundation for their bilateral relationship.
He told the participants that Vietnam-Japan economic ties are not only the inter-government relations, but also the bonds between the two nations’ business circles, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

“I hope that Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises will help Vietnam develop its supporting and hi-tech industries,” Binh stressed.
The diplomat noted that a large number of Japanese businesses, including those from Aichi prefecture, are making profits in Vietnam although the Japanese economy is plunging into recession.
Binh also applauded a recent visit to Vietnam by a delegation from the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship League of Aichi Prefecture as well as the opening of direct flights linking Hanoi and Aichi’s capital city of Nagoya last year, expecting that Vietnam Airlines and Japan Airlines will open more direct air routes between the two countries.

The President of Aichi’s Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship League, Kurati Toshihiko, expressed hope that the league’s activities will contribute to promoting friendly ties between Japan and Vietnam, adding that a mission of the league will visit Vietnam later this year.