President begins State visit to Japan, visits Gunma Prefecture

The Vietnamese President was welcomed at Haneda International Airport with a 21-gun salute in the presence of many officials from both sides. 

An official welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese head of State is set for May 30 morning at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo under the chair of Emperor Akihito.

After his arrival, President Quang visited Gunma Prefecture, is one of the leading industrial manufacturing centers in Japan.

Gunma prefecture is well known for its manufacturing of transportation and processing machinery and electronics. Its key sectors include silk industry, aircraft, hi-tech industries, automobile industry, electricity and electronics.

Meeting Gunma prefecture’s Governor Masaaki Osawa, President Quang glowingly spoke of Osawa’s sentiments towards Vietnam when selecting Vietnam as the first country to visit after he was re-elected as Governor of Gunma in 2015. 

He asked Gunma to step up cooperation with Vietnamese localities so as to fully tap potential of both sides by intensifying people-to-people exchanges and boosst collaboration in tourism and investment, especially in high-tech agriculture, farm produce processing and preserving industry, and manufacturing and supporting industries. 

The President also proposed Gunma prefecture receive more Vietnamese trainees and workers in the fields of agriculture and construction. 

Osawa briefed President Quang on the outcomes of cooperation between Gunma and Vietnam over recent years, noting that 12 businesses from the prefecture have invested in Vietnam. Gunma is also helping nearly 40 enterprises planning to invest in the country in the time ahead, he said. 

Gunma is also home to a large number of Vietnamese workers. In particular, Vietnam and Gunma have signed a series of cooperation documents on economic development and the training of engineers, mechanical experts and highly skilled workers.

Later on the same day, President Quang visited Koganei Seiki Co., which is specialising in manufacturing aircraft and formula one cars. 39 Vietnamese out of 240 engineers are working for the company. 

Vietnam and Japan are celebrating the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year. Bilateral partnership is now in the most flourishing period in history since the establishment of diplomatic relationship.

The Vietnamese State leader's visit is designed to affirm Vietnam’s unwavering external policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification in international relations, as well as Vietnam's recognition of high importance to enhancing the extensive strategic partnership with Japan.

The visit also aims to consolidate the close relationship and political trust between senior leaders of Vietnam and Japan, thus propelling the bilateral extensive strategic partnership forward.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are to host a welcome ceremony for President Tran Dai Quang and his wife on May 30, with the highest rituals of the Japanese Royal Family.