Vietnam Expects Japan to Support Vietnamese Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims

Senior Lieutenant General Huynh Chien Thang, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, suggested that the Japanese side studies and expands subjects of the co-operation programme whilst supporting Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims.

Mr. Thang made the suggestion at a meeting with a delegation from Japan’s Ministry of Defence, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation led by Major General Shirai Ryoji, director of the Department of Personnel and Training at the General Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force, on December 11 in Hanoi.

At the reception, Sen. Lt. Thang expressed great appreciation for the effective support given by the Japanese Ministry of Defense and the JSDF through programs aimed at capacity enhancement, post-war consequence settlement, and marine security.

He said he hopes that both sides will continue carrying out co-operation programs effectively.

Sen. Lt. Thang went on to hail defense exchange activities taking place between the two sides, including the exchange program between Vietnamese and Japanese field-grade officers supported by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation over the past six years.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense will continue to create favorable conditions for the exchange program between Vietnamese and Japanese field-grade officers, thereby contributing to the two countries’ defense cooperation.

In response, Shirai Ryoji voiced his hope for the further development of the two sides' linkages, especially in terms of defense and security. Both nations will continue to exchange experience, promote areas of collaboration, with a focus on training and all-level delegation exchanges and expanding ties in new fields that they have both the capacity and demand.

As many as 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin with more than three million victims. Almost all of them are resistance cadres, soldiers, voluntary youth, people living in sprayed areas, and some people who had served the former Saigon regime.

(VOV)