The event was attended by Japanese ambassador to Vietnam Sakaba Mitsuo, representative of the Hanoi Office of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Moribe Hiroyuki, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Union of Parliamentarians Nghiem Vu Khai, and VOV Director General Le Dinh Dao.

Ambassador Sakaba said that in 2005, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe agreed to lift bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, which has served as an important basis for the strong growth of the two countries’ ties.

Vietnam and Japan agreed to a 44-point Japan-Vietnam joint initiative, which is aimed at expanding bilateral comprehensive relations for the sake of peace, friendship and prosperity in Asia, the diplomat added.

The Japanese ambassador stressed that Vietnam and Japan have no opposition in terms of interests and territory and this facilitates the two countries’ partnership for the development of relations between Asian countries.

Regarding economic issues, JETRO official Moribe Hiroyuki said his organization’s recent survey shows that Vietnam is still considered an attractive destination for Japanese enterprises. More than 7,000 Japanese enterprises are now operating in Vietnam, and this figure is likely to increase in the future, he said. The fact that Vietnamese enterprises have begun to invest in the Japanese market is another indication of the fine development of relationship between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association said a successful strategic partnership needs a joint effort, including specific policies and orientations for each stage of bilateral relations. He showed optimism about bilateral economic and cultural ties as Vietnam and Japan share many similarities.

To conclude the seminar, VOV Director General Le Dinh Dao affirmed that as one of the first multimedia agencies in Vietnam, VOV pledges to promote the relations between Vietnam and Japan in particular and between Vietnam and other countries all over the world in general.