VietNamNet Bridge – State President Truong Tan Sang will pay a State visit to Japan from March 16-19 at the invitation of Emperor Akihito, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on March 9.

Vietnam and Japan established their diplomatic ties on September 21, 1973. Their relations have undergone historical ups and downs until Japan’s resumption of ODA provision to Vietnam in 1992. Since then, the two countries’ multilateral ties ranging from politics and economics to cultural exchange have been broadening along with their increasing mutual understanding and trust.

The two sides’ relationship has been growing unceasingly from a reliable partnership in 2002 to a strategic partnership in 2009.

Economic cooperation is the brightest spot in bilateral relations. Japan is one of Vietnam’s leading partners and the first G7 country recognising Vietnam’s market economy regulation (in 2011). The two sides have been collaborating in the implementation of Vietnam’s industrialisation strategy within the Vietnam-Japan cooperative framework by 2020, with a vision to 2030.

Two-way trade between the two countries was estimated at 25.6 billion USD in 2013. The two sides set a target of at least doubling their trade turnover by 2020.

Japan was Vietnam’s leading investor with its capital totalling 5.7 billion USD in 2013, making up 26.6 percent of foreign direct investment (FDI) poured into Vietnam.

In terms of foreign direct investment, Japan has counted 2,103 valid projects as of November 20, 2013, with a total registered capital of 34.5 billion USD, ranking first among 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Japan remains the leading ODA donor to Vietnam. During 21 years from 1992 to 2013, Japan provided a total amount of 21 billion USD in ODA to Vietnam.

They are working together in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

Source: Vietnam Plus