Yokohama, Nov. 11 (Jiji Press)–Vietnamese leader To Lam and Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa have agreed to promote cultural exchanges and business-to-business cooperation at a meeting in the Kanagawa prefectural capital of Yokohama, near Tokyo. The two leaders renewed the memorandum on culture, sports and tourism signed between Kanagawa and Vietnam in 2023, according to prefectural government officials. They also agreed to further cultural exchanges through the opera produced in 2023 to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations and promote cooperation between companies in the digital content fields, such as video games and anime. A certificate was also presented for the prefectural government’s new office in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, that was set up this month. During their 40-minute meeting Tuesday, the Vietnamese leader thanked Kuroiwa’s support for his country. Praising the prefecture’s exchanges with the Southeast Asian country, To Lam said that the International Horticultural Expo 2027 in Yokohama next March will have a great significance for expanding cooperation with Vietnam in the environmental field. After the talks, Kuroiwa told reporters that To Lam “gave a positive view on the economic exchanges and the movement of people facilitated through cultural exchanges.” “This bond will go much deeper,” he said. “It’s a great honor.” According to Kuroiwa, the two also discussed a predisease indicator promoted by the governor and North Korea’s abductions of Japanese nationals decades ago. Prior to his visit to the Kanagawa government, To Lam, accompanied by Kuroiwa, visited Meiko Electronics Co., a manufacturer of semiconductor printed circuit boards based in the Kanagawa city of Ayase. The Vietnamese side had asked to visit a company involved in advanced technology, while Meiko Electronics has many plants in Vietnam, running manufacturing operations and hiring workers there. After his meeting with Kuroiwa, To Lam visited an exhibition of sculptures made by artists from Japan and Vietnam, held at the prefectural government office from Sunday. He then attended a concert and a banquet. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
