About us

YAMADA TAKIO

Chairperson of the Japanese Executive Committee for the 50th Anniversary of Japan-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations
(Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam)

I would like to extend my best wishes for a New Year filled with good health and happiness.

Over the past year, numerous meaningful exchange activities and commemorative programs have been held, symbolizing the strongest and most positive phase in Japan-Vietnam relations to date.

The visit of Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko to Vietnam in September, as well as the official visit of H.E. President Võ Văn Thưởng and the First Lady to Japan, were among the most significant highlights of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Japan-Vietnam diplomatic relations.

During the high-level summit between Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and President Võ Văn Thưởng, both sides issued a Joint Statement on upgrading the bilateral relationship to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World.” Later, in December, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visited Japan to attend the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit and held a high-level Japan-Vietnam meeting with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, where both sides discussed concrete measures to materialize the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In addition to mutual high-level visits, thanks to the dedication of all those involved, over the course of 2023, a wide array of commemorative programs marking the 50th anniversary took place across various provinces and cities in both Japan and Vietnam. These included vibrant cultural festivals, academic and economic forums such as the Japan-Vietnam Economic Seminar and the “Meet Japan” Conference, and special performances like the opera “Princess Anio.” It is estimated that more than 500 events were organized.

I am confident that this diverse series of exchange activities and commemorative programs celebrating the 50th anniversary of Japan-Vietnam diplomatic relations will be remembered as a significant chapter in the long history of exchanges between our two nations.

To effectively implement the 50th anniversary programs, the Japanese Embassy, Consulates General, relevant government agencies, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI, JCCH, JCCID), and companies associated with Keidanren (the Japan Business Federation) came together to establish the Japanese Executive Committee for the 50th Anniversary of Japan-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations. This committee, composed of both public and private sector representatives, played a central role in carrying out the commemorative initiatives.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have supported and contributed to this historic 50th-anniversary celebration.

The relationship between Japan and Vietnam will continue to flourish and reach new heights.

In the coming year, with your continued support, I will remain dedicated to fostering the next 50 years of Japan-Vietnam relations.

 

INTRODUCTION OF THE JAPANESE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Japanese Executive Committee for the 50th Anniversary of Japan-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations

Chairperson

YAMADA Takio, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam

Vice Chairpersons

KINOSHITA Tadahiro, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) in Vietnam, and Chair of JCCI’s Special Committee for the 50th Anniversary

WATANABE Shige, Minister, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam

Committee Members

ONO Masuo, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City

YAKABE Yoshinori, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang

FUJIKAWA Eita, General Director, Sumitomo Shoji Vietnam Co., Ltd.
(Company of the Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee, Keidanren)

SUEMITSU Nobuhiro, Deputy Chief Representative, Hanoi Branch, Sojitz Vietnam Co., Ltd.
(Company of the Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee, Keidanren)

MIZUSHIMA Kozo, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ho Chi Minh City (JCCH)

HIRAYAMA Keiji, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Da Nang (JCCID)

WAKABAYASHI Koichi, Vice Chairman of JCCI, and Member of JCCI’s Special Committee for the 50th Anniversary

OKAMOTO Shigeyuki, Head of JCCI’s Labor Committee, and Member of JCCI’s Special Committee for the 50th Anniversary

NAGAOKA Taketoshi, Member of JCCI’s Special Committee for the 50th Anniversary

ONOSE Takahisa, Vice Chairman of JCCH and Vice Chairman of JCCID

FURUSAWA Yasuyuki, Vice Chairman and Head of JCCH’s Special Committee for the 50th Anniversary

SUGANO Yuichi, Chief Representative, JICA Vietnam Office

AGUIN Tooru, Chief Representative, JBIC Hanoi Office

DOI Katsuma, Director, Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

OSAWA Noriko, Chief Representative, Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Vietnam Office

YOSHIDA Kenji, Chief Representative, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Hanoi Office

NAKAJIMA Takeo, Chief Representative, JETRO Hanoi Office

MATSUMOTO Nobuyuki, Chief Representative, JETRO Ho Chi Minh City Office

Financial Auditors

SHIGEI Kentaro, General Manager for Vietnam, and Chief Representative, Hanoi Branch, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)

TANINAKA Yasuhisa, Director, KPMG (Certified Public Accountant)

Budget Management Committee for the 50th Anniversary of Japan-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations

Chairperson

KATAYAMA Eiji, General Manager for Vietnam and Chief Representative, Hanoi Branch, Mizuho Bank

Committee Members

KOJIMA Masao, General Manager for Vietnam and Chief Representative, Hanoi Branch, MUFG Bank

YOSHIDA Susumu, Secretary-General, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam

Support Committee for the 50th Anniversary of Japan-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations

Chairperson

HYODO Masayuki, President and CEO, Sumitomo Corporation

Vice Chairperson

FUJIMOTO Masayoshi, President, Sojitz Corporation

Financial Auditor

ICHIKAWA Hideo, Senior Advisor, Resonac Holdings Corporation