Japan PM Pledges to Continue Assistance for Vietnam

Japan will continue its assistance for Vietnam to help the Southeast Asian nation implement its socio-economic development, said Shinzo Abe, who is recently re-elected as the Japanese prime minister. PM Abe made this affirmation at a reception in Tokyo on May 21 given to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh, who is on Japan visit to attend the 21st International Conference on The Future of Asia. Japan wants to enhance cooperation with the Mekong region in the time ahead, said Abe. Regarding the territorial and maritime disputes in the East Sea, PM Abe said concerned parties must obey international law. In turn, Mr. Ninh suggested Japan maintain its official development assistance (ODA) provision at a high level for Vietnam’s sustainable development and encourage Japanese enterprises to increase investments and technology transfer to Vietnam, particularly in agriculture. On the same day, Ninh met with Hiroshi Sakuma from the Mitsubishi Group, which has a number of projects in automobile assembly and infrastructure in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and is involving in the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant. He also met with officials from the House of Representatives and the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Association. Vietnam and Japan elevated their relations to an extensive strategic partnership in March 2014. Along with being one of key trade partners for Vietnam, Japan is one of leading foreign investors in the communist nation with total investment of $37.5 billion. Tokyo is the biggest ODA provider for Hanoi. (Nhan Dan – The People May 22, Tien Phong – Pioneer May 22)