[Provisional Translation]

On January 17 (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is visiting Hanoi in the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, attended an expanded meeting with businesses. Afterwards, the Prime Minister received a courtesy call from H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, President of the Viet Nam-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association, and then held a meeting with representatives of Japan-Viet Nam University.

In his opening remarks at the expanded meeting with businesses, the Prime Minister said,
“Good morning, everyone. On this visit I am accompanied by Japanese business leaders who have a particularly close relationship with Viet Nam. I am very pleased that, earlier, members of the public and private sectors held an active discussion at the meeting, which opened at 7:30 this morning.

Yesterday, at the Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Phuc, we reached agreement in regard to enhancing the investment environment, and further expanding investment and trade.

ASEAN is a center of global growth, and Viet Nam is a central member of ASEAN. Currently, more than 1,600 Japanese companies have entered Viet Nam. I would like to offer my praise for the contributions to the development of Viet Nam that Japanese companies have made up till now, through investment, the creation of employment, and the transfer of technology.

I would like to express my thanks to Prime Minister Phuc and other leaders on the Viet Nam side for their attendance today, and kindly ask that Prime Minister Phuc listen to the views of Japanese companies, which have advanced technology and knowledge, and to continue to actively support Japanese companies.

The companies on the Japan side have strengths in technology and human resources development, and are all eager to contribute to the economic development of Viet Nam.

I am sure that they will continue to firmly plant their roots in Viet Nam and that they will aim to develop alongside you.
We will continue to contribute to the development of Viet Nam, through both the public and private sectors. Thank you.”