At the reception, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long expressed his delight at the flourishing development of the Viet Nam–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly at the local level, with more than 100 twinning arrangements between localities of the two countries. He highlighted economic cooperation as a bright spot, with many Osaka enterprises investing in Viet Nam, alongside close cultural and people-to-people exchanges that help deepen mutual understanding.
Congratulating Osaka on the distinction of hosting the Expo for the second time as well as its record of successful organisation, the Deputy Prime Minister thanked the Osaka authorities for their support of Viet Nam’s participation in Expo 2025 and the celebration of Viet Nam National Day on September 9, as well as their assistance to Viet Nam’s Consulate General in Osaka.
Reaffirming Viet Nam’s view of local-level cooperation as an important and substantive channel for strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership, Deputy PM Le Thanh Long called on Governor Yoshimura and Osaka authorities to continue promoting cooperation with Vietnamese localities in information technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, building materials, environmental protection, waste treatment, and food processing. He also encouraged further Japanese investment in Viet Nam and the opening of more direct flights between the two countries to boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
The deputy PM also urged Governor Yoshimura to lend his voice in support of and introduce practical policies to facilitate the lives of the Vietnamese community studying, working and living in Osaka Prefecture in particular and Japan in general.
Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi congratulated Viet Nam on the occasion of its 80th National Day and thanked Deputy PM Le Thanh Long for representing the Vietnamese Government at Expo 2025. He noted that Viet Nam’s pavilion was among the most visited national pavilions by both Japanese and international visitors, adding that cultural exchanges and cooperation would foster understanding and further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.
He also shared updates on cooperation between Osaka and Viet Nam, noting that since the establishment of its partnership with Ho Chi Minh City in 2017, the prefecture has expanded cooperation with several other Vietnamese localities in areas such as economy, investment, environment, labour, education and people-to-people exchanges.
In addition, Osaka has signed a cooperation agreement with Dong A University to strengthen human resources cooperation in agriculture, healthcare and other sectors. The governor also announced the opening of an Osaka representative office in Viet Nam to promote Japanese business investments.
On the occasion, Deputy PM Le Thanh Long invited Governor Yoshimura to visit Viet Nam and attend the Viet Nam–Japan Local Cooperation Forum, scheduled to take place in Quang Ninh Province this November. Governor Yoshimura said he would make arrangements to visit Viet Nam soon to promote economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and the recruitment of more highly skilled Vietnamese workers.
Also on the same day, Deputy PM Long met with the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in the Kansai region.
At the gathering, Vietnamese Consul General in Osaka Ngo Trinh Ha reported that there are currently about 130,000 Vietnamese residing in Kansai, including the prefectures of Osaka, Shiga, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, and Hyogo. Most are interns, students and young workers who are dynamic, community-minded and remain closely connected to their homeland.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long acknowledged and highly valued the positive contributions of the Vietnamese community in Kansai, stressing that the community serves as an important bridge in advancing Viet Nam–Japan cooperation. He noted that, despite his busy schedule, he has made it a priority to meet with overseas Vietnamese immediately upon arriving in Japan in order to listen and share with them.
Stressing that “Overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation”, the deputy PM affirmed the government always pays close attention to and creates favourable conditions for the community to grow and remain connected with the homeland.
