(VOVworld)-Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in Hanoi on Thursday, calling their visit to Vietnam a significant and memorable landmark in bilateral ties. Mr. Phuc praised the vigorous, comprehensive and substantive development of Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation, noting that the trip will help enhance mutual understanding and cooperation.

He acknowledged the Japanese Government’s assistance and effective contributions by Japanese enterprises, adding that Japan is now a leading economic and trade partner of Vietnam. The Prime Minister stressed that the Emperor and Empress’s visit will create new momentum for cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese businesses. The Japanese Emperor and Empress thanked the Vietnamese people for preserving Japan’s relics in Hoi An town and supporting the country to address the earthquake and tsunami consequences in 2011.