Japan taps market potential in South East Asia

New Delhi [India], July 7 (ANI): Vietnam is predicted to maintain high economic growth supported by domestic demand. Thanks to boom in business investment from Japan! The prime ministers of Japan and Vietnam were present at the Japan Vietnam Investment conference, titled "Toward a New Era of Japan and Vietnam Economic Relations." AEON, which has been actively expanding its business in Vietnam, signed a memorandum of investment and business promotion with the Hanoi city government. In addition, the AEON World Festival Vietnam Fair has been held three times at the AEON Mall in Japan. Along with Vietnam business strategy meetings, Vietnam companies visiting Japan and AEON group buyers held discussions to negotiate business deals. At the fair, all kinds of Vietnam products were displayed from the country. Exchanges between Vietnamese staff and the local populace attending the fair were a success. It was very crowded at the fair. "Vietnamese fabrics are very beautiful. I liked the fabrics very much," said a visitor. "It tastes like the food I always eat. I enjoy Vietnamese food about twice a month. My wife has been to Vietnam, but I haven't yet. But I would love to go there," he added. "The city of Hanoi and AEON have signed a memorandum of understanding to become partners in the promotion of imports and exports to both countries. We would like to import these wonderful products of Hanoi to Japan and provide these products to Japanese through AEON. Our AEON group has been setting up stores throughout each Asian country. I appreciate that we have lots of customers who visit and support our stores. In the future, we aim to create a shopping experience that pleases our customers," said General Director, Aeon Vietnam Co., Ltd., Yasuo Nishitohge. In the past, storks were a familiar bird that could be seen throughout Japan. However, in 1971, wild storks finally disappeared from the last habitat in Toyooka, Hyogo prefecture brought about by overfishing, post-war farmland maintenance, destruction of wetlands caused by river renovation, and the use of pesticides. After that, through artificial breeding of storks, the stork has been returned to the wild. In 2007, storks successfully breeded in the wild and since then have been seen flying in the skies over Japan. "Recently, more and more customers are coming from overseas, and I hope they would want to learn about storks afterwards," said Park Director, General Affairs Section, Hyogo Park, Yoshihisa Nishii. Toyooka city is also the birthplace for the local production of famous Japanese bags. About 2000 years ago, willow-crafted bags were introduced in 27 A.D. during the mythological age of Japan. Salix koriyanagi (willow) is described as the Ivory of the Plant. It is beautiful, smooth, light and strong. After weaving, it keeps its shape, changes to a tan color, and after long time use, it looks classy. It looks like leather. Since then, the shape of the willow bag has developed in a variety of ways such as very light bags that are made of compressed paper and leather bags. At present, the Toyooka Kaban Artisan has been created as one of the regional revitalization measure to uplift the community and promote industrial tourism, through the making of bags. In addition, the school facility is a positive attribute for the younger generation. Young people can focus on the healthy and pleasant learning of making things of the town. The school educates ten students a year in the know-how of making the bags. "Even persons from overseas are coming to study at our school. We have produced about 20 bags in a single year's curriculum. After one year of study, the student leaves as a craftsman," said Principal of the School, Toyooka KABAN Artisan School, Yoshihisa Takeshita. The return of the Stork to its natural habitat and making of willow bags are seemingly two different topics. But behind both, are the people's spirit "Takumi" and tireless effort, for sure. (ANI)