Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly (NA) ChairmanVuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception for visiting Komeito party Chief RepresentativeYamaguchi Natsuo in Hanoi on August 23.

Hue welcomed the visit which is made in the context that Vietnam and Japanare celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.

He said he believes that it will help deepen therelations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and Komeito andcontribute to the strengthening of the ties between the two countries.

The Japanese party official hailed the positive contributions that NAChairman Hue has made to the growth of the ties between the two countries in hisdifferent positions.

The two sides agreed that amid unpredictable changes in theworld situation, Vietnam and Japan have still maintained strong political trustand shared many strategic interests as well as many similarities, which is agood foundation for them to bolster their cooperation.

Both sides noted that Vietnam and Japan have maintained theexchange of delegations at all levels, holding that the two countries shouldstrengthen parliamentary cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, and foster theconnections among businesses and localities.

Hue said that the two sides should continueimplementing three connections mentioned in the joint statement released at PartyGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Japan, namely those ineconomy, production, and human resources training strategy. The Vietnamese toplegislator held that the two governments should clarify the contents of theseconnections in the new period.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese NA supports Japan’sstrengthening of relations with ASEAN countries and raising of its role inregional collaboration mechanisms such as the Mekong Sub-region cooperation.

He suggested that the Komeito party leader continue to supportthe parliaments of Vietnam and Japan to increase the exchange of delegationsand young parliamentarians, promoting the role of the Vietnam-Japan FriendshipParliamentarians’ Group and the Japan-Vietnam Friendship ParliamentariansAlliance.

Currently, about 500,000 Vietnamese people are living,working and studying in Japan, including about 176,000 apprentices. Since 2019,Japan has built a programme for labourers with special skills. Yamaguchi Natsuosaid he hopes more Vietnamese people will work in Japan, contributing to thegrowth of bilateral ties.

Chairman Hue affirmed that the Vietnamese NA andGovernment have always created optimal conditions for Japanese businesses andpeople to operate and live in Vietnam, and asked for Japan’s greater attentionto labour cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides showed great attention to partnership in humanresources training and enhancing law enforcement at sea to ensure maritimesecurity and safety, as well as natural disaster prevention and control, andensuring maritime freedom.

The Komeito leader hailed Vietnam’s efforts in maintainingpeace and law enforcement at sea in a transparent manner basing oninternational law.

Hue said he hopes Japan will continue to support the viewsand stances of Vietnam and ASEAN in maintaining peace and stability, andsettling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures in accordance withinternational law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of theSea 1982 (UNCLOS).

Learning of Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh’s passingaway, Yamaguchi Natsuo expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family, the Party and State of Vietnam, and spoke highly of the late official’s contributionsto the Vietnam’s Japan relations and support to Japanese investors in Hai Phongcity while he worked as Secretary of the Party Committee of the northernport city./.