Japan and the US have expressed their concern over China’s testing landing of a plane on an airstrip illegally built on Chu Thap (Fiery Cross) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

 Vietnamese and Japanese researchers have completed an international project to develop a new rice variety that is disease- and insect-resistant with a high-yield, short-growth duration.

The news that Japan has entered an economic downturn has raised concerns among Vietnamese exporters. Meanwhile, experts believe Japan will still be keen in providing ODA (official development assistance) to Vietnam. 

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 Japan has restarted its first nuclear reactor under new safety rules following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

 Vietnam has concluded the bilateral negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement with the U.S. and Japan, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

VietNamNet Bridge - A machine to anesthetize tuna, which keeps fish fresh after being caught, has been invented by an engineer and lecturer at Tuy Hoa Industry Junior College.

 The Japanese Government will provide technical assistance on sustainable management of natural resources to the five mountainous provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh and Lam Dong from 2015-2020.

VietNamNet Bridge – A Vietnamese Ao Dai (traditional long tunic) collection by designers Huynh Hai Long and Dang The Huy is a highlight of Vietnam Culture Week 2015 in Japan on July 2. 

 Two people are dead after one of them set himself on fire on board a Japanese Shinkansen bullet train, public broadcaster NHK reports.

Japanese shares hit a 15-year high, following the global rally elsewhere on hopes Greece will reach a deal with its creditors to prevent from defaulting on payments due at the end of the month.

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese trading companies are being eyed by many Japanese investors who are planning to join the domestic market.

VietNamNet Bridge - If the government wants to retain auto-assembling enterprises to develop Vietnam’s auto industry, it will have no other choice than to support domestic enterprises.

 Air safety authorities in Japan are investigating how a South Korean Asiana Airlines plane skidded off a runway on landing at Hiroshima airport.

While many analysts fear that Japanese businesses are leaving Vietnam for more attractive markets in the region, government officials believe Vietnam remains a favorite destination for Japanese investors.

Both Vietnam and Japan are establishing closer ties because of China. Vietnam is receiving more capital from Japan and less from China, and many Japanese businesses are leaving China for Vietnam.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Bui Thanh Mai, 8, of Ninh Binh Province, has become the only Vietnamese child to win the gold medal at Toyota's World Dream Car Art Contest held in Japan last August.

VietNamNet Bridge – Many Japanese investors have been taking quiet steps to pour money into the agricultural sector in Vietnam. 

A report from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) showed that Japanese FDI in Vietnam has dropped by 65 percent to $2.02 billion.

Japan is the second largest foreign investor in Vietnam. However, since 2011, because of difficulties faced by the Japanese economy and the global recession, Japan’s investment in Vietnam has declined.