Vietnam-Japan relations thrive thanks to people-based bridge-building

Vietnam-Japan relations have seen strong progress across the field since the establishment of diplomatic ties 45 years ago, which is partly attributable to the bridge-building role of many individuals and organisations.
Professor-Doctor Furuta Motoo, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association and Founding Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University (Photo: Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

Professor-Doctor Furuta Motoo, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association and Founding Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University (Photo: Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

Professor-Doctor Furuta Motoo, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association (JVFA) and Founding Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University, is one such individual.

The JVFA was set up in 1955 with the goal of promoting the friendship between the people of the two countries, he said, adding that with the rapid increase in the number of Vietnamese living in Japan, one of the main activities of the association now is to support the overseas Vietnamese community in Japan.

With an expansive network of chapters, the association has organised diverse exchange activities such as Vietnamese language classes, gatherings on the occasion of Vietnamese traditional lunar new year, film screenings, music and cuisine festivals.

As Founding Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University, Prof Furuta said the university aims to become a leading research university in Asia.

In July 2017, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) established the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Centre to organise and support joint scientific research and technological transfer programmes between Vietnam and Japan. The centre also works to promote bilateral economic and cultural exchange activities.

Director of the Centre Bui Khac Son, who is also deputy head of VUFO and standing vice chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association, said the centre aims to become a reliable bridge connecting the business communities of the two countries.

According to Son, the centre will focus on facilitating business partnership in market research, personnel training, technology transfer, agriculture and industries using renewable energy.

Besides, the centre also plans other cultural and sport events such as making a film on agriculturalist Luong Dinh Cua who was trained in Japan, and holding a friendship golf tournament.

For Syoei Utsuda, President of the Vietnam Friendship Association in Japan, Vietnam has become familiar to Japanese people. At present, more than 260,000 Vietnamese are living in Japan, with the number of student and trainees rising rapidly.

According to Utsuda, his association has engaged in many support activities targeting the overseas Vietnamese in Japan. It hosted a conference last August on the theme of spiritual support for Vietnamese in Japan.

VNA

Other News

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

Hanoi ready to implement Capital Law 2026, unlocking new development momentum

The effectiveness of the Capital Law 2026 will be measured not by the number of legal documents issued but by tangible improvements in governance and public administration, better services for people and businesses, faster administrative procedures, stronger investment attraction and higher economic growth.

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Vietnamese students earn honours at ROBOG Asia Cup 2026

Three teams from Chu Van An Secondary School in Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen province have earned First Prize honours and advanced to the quarterfinals at the ROBOG Asia Cup 2026, a regional robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) competition for students held in Hong Kong, China.

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

Hanoi sets out new investment blueprint with century-long development vision

As of early June, Hanoi had attracted 74.6 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) through more than 9,250 valid projects. FDI inflows in the first six months were projected at 3.2 billion USD, surpassing the annual target by 116%, while nearly 16,000 new businesses were established in the first five months, up 34.4% year-on-year.

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam’s development and international integration have gone hand in hand with the improvement of its legal system, the incorporation of international commitments into domestic legislation, and legal reforms aimed at fostering development, openness and global integration. The country regards international law as an essential instrument for building fair, mutually beneficial relations among nations.

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

Hanoi to hold investment promotion event on June 29

At the event, Hanoi authorities plan to grant investment policy decisions and investment registration certificates to 20 exemplary projects in the fields of transportation infrastructure, industrial parks, urban development, social housing, environment, science and technology, and foreign investment attraction.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Hanoi's Red River urban area development draws widespread attention

Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065.

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Regional cooperation strengthened to combat cross-border drug crime

Vietnam, China, Laos and Myanmar face common challenges as drug syndicates increasingly exploit the Mekong River, cross-border transport networks, e-commerce platforms, international logistics services, cyberspace and cryptocurrencies to organise drug transactions and smuggling operations.