Binh Duong - Yamaguchi (Japan): Ten-year connection

Part1: Strengthening cooperation and investment

From December 17 to December 19, 2024, Binh Duong province will host a program commemorating the 10th anniversary of establishing cooperative and friendly relations with Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan. This event underscores the robust partnership between Binh Duong and its Japanese counterparts, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in the coming time.

Notable achievements

The cooperative relationship between Binh Duong province and Yamaguchi prefecture has thrived over the past 10 years. Since establishing friendly cooperation in 2014, the two localities have actively engaged in cultural exchanges, strengthened their friendship, expanded economic collaboration, trade promotion and investment in various key sectors. From the outset, with the support of provincial leaders, Binh Duong has successfully attracted a growing number of Japanese investors. Additionally, numerous student delegations from both provinces have participated in exchange programs, fostering mutual understanding and learning.

Leaders of Binh Duong and Yamaguchi provinces sign a cooperation agreement in the field of nursing at the "Meet Japan 2023" event​​​

During his multiple visits to Binh Duong, Muraoka Tsugumasa, Governor of Yamaguchi prefecture has consistently affirmed the remarkable and commendable outcomes achieved through the cooperation and exchanges between the two localities over the past years. These achievements have positively contributed to the socio-economic development of both regions, further strengthening ties between Vietnam and Japan in general and between Binh Duong and Yamaguchi in particular​​​.

According to provincial leaders, Binh Duong has established sister-city relationships with 14 provinces and cities worldwide, including Yamaguchi (Japan). These partnerships have played a crucial role in initiating numerous impactful and meaningful projects, namely the Binh Duong Smart City project, Binh Duong Innovation Region and the projects of Smart and Science-Technology Industrial Parks. These diplomatic ties have enabled Binh Duong to learn valuable lessons from major cities around the world, fostering the creation of development models in line with the province's unique needs. These models extend beyond investment attraction, encompassing broader societal aspects such as urban planning, transportation, logistics infrastructure, innovation, science-technology development​​​…

Enhancing connectivity, expanding investment

Among the 65 countries and territories investing in Binh Duong, Japan ranks second with total investment capital of nearly US$ 6 billion, accounting for 14% of the province's total foreign direct investment (FDI). Japanese investment projects in Binh Duong are primarily concentrated on industries of electronic components, electronic circuits and chips, automobile manufacturing and assembly, steel production and other auxiliary industries. Notably, Binh Duong has strengthened collaboration with major Japanese corporations, including Tokyu Group for infrastructure, urban and traffic development; Aeon Group for commercial development; Mitsubishi Group for automobile industry growth; Toshiba Group and Foster Electronics Group for electronic component manufacturing​​​…

​​​A high-ranking delegation from Yamaguchi prefecture, led by Governor Muraoka Tsugumasa, visits exhibition booths at Binh Duong - EXPO 2022

Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh city highlighted that with its highly regarded investment environment and strong development potential, Binh Duong is an attractive destination for numerous Japanese enterprises. Notably, since Binh Duong and Yamaguchi prefecture established a cooperative friendship in 2014, economic collaboration and investment promotion between the two regions have become more and more effective​​​.

Binh Dương is strengthening its economic diplomacy efforts, widely promoting the province's image to investors and major corporations, including Japanese partners. Currently, over 350 Japanese enterprises are operating in Binh Duong. Recently, Japanese investors have been increasing investment in such sectors as infrastructure development, urban planning, commerce-services...These projects have contributed to promoting the local socio-economic development​​​.

Vo Van Minh, Vice Secretary of provincial Party Committee and Chairman of provincial People’s Committee stated that since establishing their cooperative friendship in 2014, Binh Duong and Yamaguchi prefecture have actively carried out exchange activities, strengthened their friendship, expanded economic cooperation, trade promotion and investment in the fields of education, healthcare and culture. The program commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Binh Duong-Yamaguchi partnership aims at promoting Binh Duong's image, connecting with Japanese partners and further deepening the close cooperation between Binh Duong and Yamaguchi. In the coming time, the strong relationship between the two localities is expected to reach new heights, contributing to the shared development of both Vietnam and Japan​​​.

Reported by Ngoc Thanh-Thanh Tuyen-Translated by Kim Tin