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

Part 2: Cooperation for sustainable development

With over 50 years of excellent development in diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, the friendship and connection between Binh Duong province and Yamaguchi prefecture have grown constantly. Japan has become one of the most trusted and important partners in various fields for Vietnam in general and Binh Duong province in particular.

Solid foundation

Assessing on the friendship between Binh Duong province and Yamaguchi prefecture, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu stated that the cooperative relationship between the two localities has been continuously nurtured and developed, becoming a model for local-level collaboration between Vietnam and Japan. Building on the potential, strengths and solid foundation of cooperation between the two countries, Binh Duong is set to remain an ideal destination for Japanese investors in the next years.

Vo Van Minh (third left), Vice Secretary of provincial Party Committee, Chairman of provincial People's Committee talks to Muraoka Tsugumasa, Governor of Yamaguchi prefecture on the sidelines of the exchange conference between the delegation of Yamaguchi prefecture and Japanese businesses in Binh Duong

The dynamic development of Binh Duong province in recent years has garnered significant attention from Japanese businesses and investors. Masami Okumura, General Director of Toyotsu Safety & Automotive Components Vietnam Co., Ltd. (located in My Phuoc III Industrial Park) said: “We are very satisfied with our decision to establish our manufacturing and business operations in Binh Duong. Our company has always received great support and favorable conditions from local authorities for development. Currently, with its advanced infrastructure and modern industrial parks, Binh Duong has become a top priority destination for foreign investors. Japanese enterprises have strongly supported the province’s new direction in attracting investment, especially in high-tech industries”.

Nguyen Van Hung, CEO of Becamex IDC stated that Binh Duong's smart strategies, including its "Intercity Diplomacy Strategy" have been highly regarded and recognized by the international community. The province's twinning relationships with 14 foreign provinces and cities, including Yamaguchi prefecture, have created favorable conditions for the implementation of numerous meaningful and effective projects in Binh Duong such as the Smart City Project, the Innovation Region, the Smart Industrial Park, the Science and Technology Industrial Park... These diplomatic partnerships have enabled Binh Duong to learn valuable lessons from major cities around the world, allowing the province to develop suitable models for the local growth. This approach has contributed to Binh Duong's increasingly sustainable development.

Joining hands for green and sustainable development

During meetings with leaders of Yamaguchi prefecture, Nguyen Van Loi, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of provincial Party Committee and Head of provincial National Assembly deputy delegation expressed confidence that Binh Duong and Yamaguchi would continue strengthening cooperative activities and deepen the friendship between the two localities. He also emphasized the importance of fostering ties between the legislative bodies of the two localities, namely Binh Duong provincial People's Council and Yamaguchi prefectural Council.  Additionally, he highlighted acceleration of economic, cultural, educational and healthcare activities among businesses and organizations, contributing to promoting the cooperative and friendly relationship between the two provinces.

A high-ranking delegation of Yamaguchi prefecture visits Toyotsu Safety & Automotive Components (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. in My Phuoc III Industrial Park

Provincial Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Loi hopes that in the coming time, Yamaguchi prefecture will further accompany and support Binh Duong province in achieving green, smart and sustainable development orientation. The two localities will strengthen development cooperation in the fields of strength, especially in health, culture, education and people-to-people exchanges.

Building on positive outcomes, during the “Meet Japan” event in September 2023, Binh Duong province and Yamaguchi prefecture signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of nursing, a crucial and essential issue for the sustainable development of Binh Duong. Additionally, Eastern International University (EIU) signed eight cooperation and international agreements with Yamaguchi University in Yamaguchi prefecture and YIC Rehabilitation College, thereby promoting collaboration in English language training, nursing, engineering and exchange activities, further strengthening ties between the two localities.

According to Dr. Ngo Minh Duc, Principal of Eastern International University (EIU), the university is committed to its mission of training high-quality human resources for Binh Duong province. EIU will continue carrying out important strategic human tasks in the province. The collaboration with Yamaguchi Prefectural University and Yamaguchi University Hospital on healthcare projects marks a significant advancement for EIU. The university is preparing to launch and offer medical education programs while enhancing its existing nursing programs, which is considered as a cornerstone of EIU's academic network.

In the coming time, EIU and educational institutions in Yamaguchi prefecture will have even more opportunities to connect and collaborate, creating positive values in the cultural, economic, educational and healthcare development activities of the two localities.

After 10 years of partnership and enhanced exchanges between Binh Duong and Yamaguchi, the collaboration has yielded many practical results. Mr. Muraoka Tsugumasa, Governor of Yamaguchi prefecture shared that Binh Duong has always left a strong impression on him. Muraoka Tsugumasa, Governor of Yamaguchi prefecture shared that Binh Duong has always left beautiful marks in him. Every time he comes to Binh Duong, he is surprised by the increasingly spacious and modern changes of the province. The cooperation and exchange between the two localities over the past 10 years has achieved outstanding and proud results (to be continued).

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