Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Hanoi on May 4, 2019

At a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Hanoi on Saturday, the Prime Minister said Vietnam is ready to cooperate closely with Japan to promote peace, stability and cooperation in the region for the sake of the development of each country and strengthened bilateral ties. He said Vietnam supported Japan’s constructive and proactive role in regional and inter-regional cooperation mechanisms. Minister Takeshi Iwaya said the Japanese government praised the efforts of the Vietnamese government and the Prime Minister in strengthening bilateral ties. The Japanese Minister expressed his hope to further defense links between the two countries. He said Japan considers Vietnam one of the most important countries in promoting defense ties adding that Japan is ready to help Vietnam in overcoming consequences of bombs and minds left over from the war.