At the start of his visit to Da Nang, the Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam, Mr Hiroshi Fukada, was warmly received by the Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, Mr Tran Tho, on Thursday afternoon.

During the reception, Secretary Tho remarked that the cooperative ties between Da Nang and Japanese localities have been stable over recent years.  To date, Japanese businesses have poured into the city a total investment capital of nearly 500 million USD.  They have all been operating well in the city and have made significant contributions to the city’s socio-economic progress.  Over the past 2 years, a total of 60 million USD from a number of Japanese enterprises has been invested in the city’s hi-tech zone. 

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Fukada (left) and Secretary Tho

On behalf of the city’s leaders, Secretary Tho expressed his thanks to the Japanese investors for operating their businesses in the city in recent years.  He added that he would like the Ambassador to appeal for even more businesses to invest in the hi-tech zone and an industrial park (IP) for Japanese businesses which will be built in the near future.  In addition, the city leader expressed his belief that Japan will be involved in local projects including the construction of a metro network and a wastewater treatment system.

In reply, the Japanese diplomat expressed his pleasure at visiting Da Nang in recognition of the arrival at the Tien Sa Port today, 6 June, of ships from the Japanese Maritime Self-defence Force.  In addition, he highly appreciated the Viet Nam government’s calm response to China’s illegal action of positioning the HD-981 oil drilling rig on Viet Nam’s continental shelf and in its exclusive economic zone.

The Ambassador noted that the Japanese government has raised its voice in support of Viet Nam as well as expressed strong opposition to China’s illegal actions in the East Sea.  In addition, Japan has actively appealed for ASEAN member nations, the USA and Australia to make statements expressing their opposition to the Chinese actions.

On the same day, during his own reception for the Japanese Ambassador, the Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Mr Van Huu Chien, said that the city’s authorities are making plans for the construction of a hi-tech zone exclusively for Japanese businesses.  This should help to ensure effective operations in the city, as well as encourage many more Japanese businesses to invest in the city in the future, including those currently operating in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.