HCM City (VNA) – The Japanese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh Cityheld a ceremony on December 7 to mark Japanese Emperor Akihito’s 85th birthday (December23). 

The event was attended by former President Truong Tan Sang, Chairman of the HCMCity People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong, and Japanese businessmen and peopleliving in the southern hub.

Consul General Kawaue Junichi highlighted the Emperor’s contributions to deepeningthe sound relations between Japan and Vietnam.

In 2018, the two countries have organised numerous activities celebrating the45th anniversary of the diplomatic ties, including events in HCM City andsurrounding localities.

Consul General Kawaue Junichi thanked the local authorities and agencies fortheir sentiment, support and cooperation, and said he hopes to receivecontinued the city’s support and collaboration in developing the ties betweenJapan and HCM City, contributing to promoting the relations between the twocountries.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong congratulatedEmperor Akihito on his 85th birthday, and highlighted the ties between the cityand Japan, especially in 2018.

Japan’s total investments in HCM City exceeded 4 billion USD in 2018, makingthe East Asian nation the fifth investor among 100 countries and territoriesinvesting in the city. More than 1,200 Japanese businesses have opened their officesand factories in the city.

Bilateral trade between HCM City and Japan reached 5 billion USD in 2017.

In the first half of this year, the city welcomed nearly 300,000 Japanesevisitors.

The same day, the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association (VJFA) of Ho Chi MinhCity held a get-together to mark Emperor Akihito’s 85th birthday. - VNA