Vietnamese overseas in Japan encouraged to contribute more to hometown
There are more than 50 Vietnamese associations in Japan, serving as important bridges in the friendship between the two nations.
The Government is committed to removing legal obstacles to enable overseas Vietnamese in Japan to contribute more effectively to their home country.
| Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man at the meeting. Source: VNA |
Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man expressed this view during a meeting with the Vietnamese community in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, on December 7, as part of his visit to the East Asian country.
According to the Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu, the Vietnamese community in Japan numbers over 600,000, residing and working across all 47 prefectures, making it the second-largest foreign community in the country.
There are more than 50 Vietnamese associations in Japan, serving as crucial bridges in the friendship between the two nations, he noted.
Hieu said that the community is predominantly young, dynamic, and creative, making significant contributions to Japan while maintaining strong ties with Vietnam. The growing intellectual sector within the community plays a leading role in scientific and technological collaboration, strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two peoples.
At a meeting with the National Assembly Chairman and the delegation, Consul General Vu Chi Mai in Fukuoka reported that most members of the Vietnamese community in the Kyushu and South-Central regions of Japan abide by local laws and policies. They demonstrate solidarity and mutual support and organize numerous activities aimed at connecting with their homeland.
Association representatives and community members expressed their pride in Vietnam's significant progress in the new era. They supported the urgency of streamlining the political system to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, contributing to the nation's advancement. They also called for more legal support for overseas Vietnamese, increased digital transformation, and competitiveness for Vietnamese enterprises in Japan.
During his visit, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the critical role of the Vietnamese community in strengthening Vietnam-Japan relations, especially after the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World.
Man briefed the community on domestic developments, highlighting Vietnam's achievements in stabilizing the macroeconomy, controlling inflation, and ensuring social welfare despite challenges in 2024, including severe damage from Typhoon Yagi. GDP growth is projected at 7%, with all 15 socio-economic targets met or exceeded. Vietnam's international standing continues to rise, while efforts to combat corruption remain a priority.
| The Chairman and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Japan. |
Looking ahead, preparations are underway for the 14th Party Congress, which will mark the beginning of a new era for the nation. However, challenges remain in three critical areas: institutional reform, infrastructure, and human resources, Man said.
The 8th session of the National Assembly passed 18 laws and 21 resolutions, including amendments to the Public Investment Law and laws to streamline financial and budgetary policies. Key projects, such as the North-South high-speed railway with an estimated budget of $67 billion and the resumption of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, were also approved.
He commended the Vietnamese Consulate General in Fukuoka for its achievements despite resource constraints and urged continued efforts to meet the growing demands of international integration. He highlighted the recent approval of amendments to Decree 08/2019/ND-CP, which improved the remuneration of members of Vietnamese missions abroad.
Acknowledging the community's contributions, Man reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to policies that strengthen ties with overseas Vietnamese. The implementation of Politburo Conclusion 12-KL/TW on Overseas Vietnamese Affairs includes legal reforms such as the 2023 Identity Law, which grants identity cards to all Vietnamese citizens, regardless of their place of residence, and the revised 2024 Land Law, which provides more favorable conditions for overseas Vietnamese to own land use rights.
Man pledged to address the challenges faced by the Vietnamese community in Japan by tasking NA specialized committees to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies. These efforts aim to enable greater contributions from the community, fostering Vietnam-Japan relations.
On December 7, during his official visit to Japan, the National Assembly Chairman and his delegation laid a wreath at the Nagasaki Peace Park in honor of the atomic bomb victims and visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. In the guestbook, he wrote, “Vietnam cherishes peace and hopes all nations will work together for peace, prosperity, and common development.”
