Fri, Jul 14, 2017 | updated 09:47 AM IST
Japan taps market potential in Southeast Asia

Hanoi, Vietnam / Toyooka, Japan 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 gove ment. 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. 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 retu ed to the wild. In 2007, storks successfully breeded in the wild and since then have been seen flying in the skies over Japan. 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 measures 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 lea ing of making things of the town. The school educates ten students a year in the know-how of making the bags. The retu 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.