On the morning of August 26th, the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang held an opening ceremony with the participation of Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Viet Nam Watanabe Shige; Consul General of Japan in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori; Alternate Member of the Central Party Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the City’s Party Committee, Chairman of the City’s People’s Council Luong Nguyen Minh Triet; Chairman of the City’s Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee Ngo Xuan Thang; Vice Chairman of the City’s People’s Committee Tran Phuoc Son; leaders of provinces and cities under their management: Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien - Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, and Binh Dinh; Japanese diplomatic delegations, organizations, and companies.
Speaking at the ceremony, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori said that the Japanese Consular Office in Da Nang was upgraded to the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang on January 1st, 2022.
“For the Japanese Government, it normally takes 5-6 years for a Consular Office to be upgraded to a Consulate General. Therefore, the upgrade to Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang within 2 years is unprecedented”, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori emphasized.
According to Consul General of Japan in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori, the relationship between Japan and Central Viet Nam in general and Da Nang in particular has not only been strengthened in terms of economy and culture but also in terms of politics, security and defense. In particular, Da Nang being a center for trade and logistics, and investment activities of Japanese companies is very positive. Currently, there are about 300 Japanese businesses operating in Da Nang and neighboring provinces. The number of Japanese tourists coming to the city has increased rapidly. Ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force regularly visit Da Nang.
“In addition to coordinating with the People’s Committees of provinces and cities to organize activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Viet Nam, the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang is striving to soon deploy visa issuance services, contributing to promoting exchange activities between Japan and the Central Highlands region”, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori informed.
On behalf of the city’s government and people, Vice Chairman of the City’s People’s Committee Tran Phuoc Son congratulated the Japanese Consulate General on its official opening in Da Nang City.
According to Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son, recently, the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang and Da Nang have always accompanied each other and coordinated to promote and implement many important cooperation programs. The cooperation relationship between Viet Nam and Japan in general and between Da Nang City and Japanese localities in particular is constantly developing.
Up to now, Da Nang has established friendly relations and official cooperation with four Japanese localities including Kisarazu, Sakai, Yokohama, and Kawasaki. Trade and investment relations between Da Nang and Japanese organizations and businesses have constantly developed. Currently, Japan is leading in FDI investment in Da Nang with more than 215 projects and an investment capital of up to 900 million USD, and Japanese projects operate very effectively, contributing to the city’s socio-economic development.
Delegates toasting to the opening of the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang
“It can be seen that the cooperation between Da Nang and Japanese partners has constantly been consolidated and developed. The establishment of the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang is an important event and a step forward in developing cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan. We believe that the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang will continue to act as a bridge, actively promoting friendship relations, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges between Da Nang and other provinces/cities in the consular area with Japanese localities and partners, contributing to strengthening the “extensive strategic cooperation partnership” between the two countries. The city government will most favorably facilitate the Japanese Consulate General in Da Nang to operate effectively”, Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son said.
Sharing at the ceremony, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Viet Nam Watanabe Shige expressed his profound gratitude to the Vietnamese Government, the city, and its people for their interest and support to upgrade the Japanese Consular Office into the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang.
“Leaders, officers, and employees of the Embassy will always stand side by side, comprehensively and closely coordinate with the Consulate General of Japan in Da Nang to make joint efforts to further develop the relationship between Viet Nam and Japan. We hope that Da Nang will continue to accompany and support us”, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Viet Nam Watanabe Shige said.
Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Viet Nam Watanabe Shige also expressed his hope that in the coming time, rich and diverse exchange events will be held so that those who are interested in Japan-Viet Nam relations can attend the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Viet Nam.
On this occasion, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam presented the Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Ms. Usuda Reiko for her many contributions to tightening the friendship between Viet Nam and Japan.
THANH NGUYEN
