Vietnamese Consul General in Osak Nguyen Truong Son presents a souvenir to the Governor of Osaka Prefecture. (Source: Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka)

During the meetings, the Consul General expressed his delight at the robust development of Vietnam-Japan relations following the upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He noted that the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to Vietnam continues to strengthen political trust and opens up many new cooperation opportunities.

The Consul General congratulated Osaka Prefecture on successfully organizing EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and praised subsequent initiatives such as the World Health Expo 2026 and Global Startup Expo 2026. He considered these areas aligned with Vietnam's priorities in innovation, digital transformation, high technology, and healthcare.

The Consul General also acknowledged effective cooperation models between Osaka and Vietnam in human resource training, including the "MEET IN OSAKA" program, as well as the long-standing partnership between Osaka and Ho Chi Minh City in environmental fields, sustainable urban development, carbon emission reduction, and green transition.

On this occasion, the Consul General introduced Quang Ninh Province's desire to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with Osaka Prefecture. He highlighted that 2027 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka and expressed his wish for Osaka Prefecture's authorities to continue closely coordinating with the Consulate General in promoting local exchanges, people-to-people exchanges, and Vietnam-Japan friendship activities in the Kansai region.

On the Japanese side, Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner for Osaka. He appreciated Vietnam's contributions to the success of EXPO 2025 and expressed his impression with traditional art programs at the Vietnam House, especially water puppetry.

The leaders of Osaka Prefecture highly valued the contributions of the Vietnamese community and agreed to further promote local cooperation, economic collaboration, education and training, youth exchanges, and people-to-people exchanges, considering the younger generation as the foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam-Japan relations.

In discussions with the Osaka Prefectural Assembly and the Osaka Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, the Consul General suggested enhancing delegations to Vietnam, boosting cooperation in various fields, and closely coordinating with the Consulate General in supporting the Vietnamese community.

Both sides agreed to enhance information exchange about the Vietnamese community in the area, coordinate in disseminating local laws and regulations, and build an increasingly integrated and developed Vietnamese community that positively contributes to the host society.

The Consul General, representatives of the Consulate General, along with the Chairman, Vice Chairman of the Prefectural Assembly, and some representatives of the Osaka Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance. (Source: Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka)

On the same day, June 23, the Consul General met with the newly appointed Chairman of the Sakai City Assembly Hasegawa Shunei. Mr. Hasegawa shared his deep impressions from a personal visit to Da Nang City, appreciating the city's dynamic development, natural beauty, and the friendliness and hospitality of the Vietnamese people.

Consul General Nguyen Truong Son provided an overview of Vietnam's notable socio-economic development achievements in recent times, affirming that Vietnam is striving to achieve its development goals by 2030 and vision by 2045. He emphasized Vietnam's active and deep international integration, preparing to host APEC Year 2027, and maintaining an open, stable investment and business environment to attract external resources for national development.

The Consul General noted that the Vietnamese community in Japan is rapidly growing, with over 5,000 Vietnamese residing, studying, and working in Sakai City alone. This community not only serves as an important human resource for the locality but also acts as a bridge to promote people-to-people exchanges and friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides agreed to continue fostering cooperative relations between Sakai City and Vietnamese localities, particularly Da Nang City, in areas such as economy, education, youth exchanges, and cultural exchanges.

The Consul General also suggested that the Sakai City Assembly support the upcoming Vietnamese Community Football Tournament, scheduled to be held at the J-GREEN Sakai Stadium in August 2026, in celebration of Vietnam's National Day. He viewed this as a meaningful activity to strengthen community solidarity and promote exchanges between Vietnamese and local residents.

Consul General Nguyen Truong Son and the new Chairman, Vice Chairman of the Sakai City Assembly. (Source: Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka)

Earlier, Consul General Nguyen Truong Son had discussions with Osaka City Mayor Yokoyama Hideyuki.

During the meeting, both sides were pleased to note that Osaka City continues to be a leading local partner of Vietnam in Japan, particularly through its long-standing cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City, the Business Partner City (BPC) network since 1997, and various programs on urban development, environmental protection, and carbon emission reduction.

Consul General Nguyen Truong Son highly appreciated Osaka's role as a leading economic, trade, industrial, and innovation center in the Kansai region. He also informed about the new development space of Ho Chi Minh City following administrative unit rearrangement, making it Vietnam's comprehensive economic center in finance, trade, industry, logistics, innovation, and marine economy.

The Consul General expressed his desire for both sides to continue expanding cooperation in areas such as economy, investment, smart cities, digital transformation, high technology, green technology, healthcare, elderly care, and youth exchanges.

Mayor Yokoyama Hideyuki congratulated the Consul General on his new assignment and praised Vietnam's development achievements. Both sides agreed to continue valuing cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The Mayor affirmed his commitment to facilitating the Vietnamese community's stable living, studying, and working conditions, contributing positively to Osaka City's development.

Consul General Nguyen Truong Son exchanges souvenirs with Osaka City Mayor Yokoyama Hideyuki. (Source: Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka)

On this occasion, Consul General Nguyen Truong Son extended an invitation to the Governor of Osaka Prefecture, leaders of the Prefectural Assembly and the Osaka Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, the Mayor of Osaka City, and leaders of the Sakai City Assembly to attend the second Vietnam-Japan Local Forum, scheduled to be held in Hue City in the third quarter of 2026, to further expand cooperation opportunities between the localities of the two countries in the new phase.