(VOVworld) – Vietnam and Japan are becoming more important partners of each other in all areas: politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, and investment. This was stated at a ceremony held Thursday in Ho Chi Minh City to mark Japan’s 81^st Independence Day (23/12/1933). Nakajima Satoshi, Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, said: "Amid complicated developments around the world, the strong development of Vietnam-Japan relations on the basis of sentiments, and mutual trust will contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world. We hope bilateral ties will further develop in the future while mutual trust will be deepened."

Yosakoi dance performance to mark Japan's Independence Day in 2013 Photo: VNA

Japan is currently Vietnam’s leading foreign direct investment and ODA provider. As of July, there have been more than 2300 Japanese projects invested in Vietnam with a total registered capital of 35 billion USD. Bilateral cooperation in culture, education and training, and science and technology has steadily improved.