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The Prime Minister in Action
Japan-Viet Nam Summit Meeting and Other Events
June 6, 2017
Photograph of the leaders shaking hands
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor ceremony (1)
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor ceremony (2)
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor ceremony (3)
Photograph of the Japan-Viet Nam Summit Meeting
Photograph of the leaders attending the exchange of documents (1)
Photograph of the leaders attending the exchange of documents (2)
Photograph of the leaders attending the exchange of documents (3)
Photograph of the leaders attending the exchange of documents (4)
Photograph of the leaders attending the exchange of documents (5)
Photograph of the leaders attending the exchange of documents (6)
Photograph of the joint press announcement (1)
Photograph of the joint press announcement (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the banquet hosted by the Prime Minister
Photograph of the banquet hosted by the Prime Minister
[Provisional Translation]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, at Akasaka Palace State Guest House.
The two leaders attended a salute and guard of honor ceremony, followed by a summit meeting. Thereafter, the leaders held an exchange of documents and a joint press announcement.
Finally, the Prime Minister hosted a banquet, and said in his address,
"Firstly, I would like to apologize for keeping you all waiting for such a long time. Our discussion at the summit meeting was so lively that we became late. Please forgive us, as this happened because my relationship with Prime Minister Phuc has become so friendly.
I would like to offer my heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Phuc and Mrs. Phuc upon their visit to Japan. The great welcome we received when my wife and I visited Viet Nam again this January continues to remain in our hearts.
In November, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting will take place in Da Nang, which is close to Prime Minister Phuc's hometown. It will be the first time for me to visit Da Nang. I have heard that its seafood is famous. I look forward to the achievement of great success for the APEC meeting under the skillful leadership of Viet Nam as host country, and to freely enjoying the delicious seafood.
The visit to Viet Nam of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan opened a new page in the friendly relationship between Japan and Viet Nam. Next year will mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Viet Nam. I would like us to further deepen our exchanges in a wide range of fields such as politics, the economy, culture, and sports.
Today Ambassador Ryotaro Sugi, who serves as Goodwill Ambassador between Viet Nam and Japan, and who also accompanied me on my visit to Viet Nam in January, is in attendance. Ambassador Sugi has significantly contributed to and driven our bilateral exchanges for almost 30 years, and I look forward to his continued activities.
The deepening of our bilateral relationship can also be seen in our people-to-people exchanges. Last year the number of technical intern trainees from Viet Nam studying in Japan reached about 90,000, making it the top origin country. The number of overseas students from Viet Nam in Japan exceeded 60,000. In attendance today are Ms. Luong Thu Huong from the Government of Viet Nam, who is currently studying at Hitotsubashi University; Mr. Bui Quoc Hung, who is currently studying at the National Defense Academy of Japan; and Mr. Nguyen Son Ha, who came to Japan as a candidate nurse and has admirably succeeded in obtaining Japan's national certification. I would like them to build on their experiences of learning in Japan to contribute to the future of Viet Nam and to serve as bridges between our two nations.
Also, although he is not at this banquet, recently Mr. Le Thanh Chung, a young student from Viet Nam, dived into a river to save a Japanese woman who had entered the river in a suicide attempt. Mr. Le is a student who works part-time at a shop selling used tires while studying in Japan. I would like to applaud Mr. Le's courage and express my thanks to him.
Although I cannot introduce them all individually, there are numerous people who are active for the bonds between Japan and Viet Nam, including the many students from Viet Nam in Japan, as well as businesspeople, those active in cultural fields, and scholars. From among them, we have invited to today's banquet leaders from all areas in many different fields, including politics, the economy, academia, and culture, all of whom are supporting the invaluable friendly relations between our two countries. Thanks to all of you, the wonderful relationship between Japan and Viet Nam is what it is today. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you, and my hope that you will continue to work with us toward the further development of this relationship.
I would now like to raise a toast to the continued health and success of Prime Minister Phuc and Mrs. Phuc and all those in attendance today, to the increasing prosperity of Viet Nam, and to the further development of the relationship between Japan and Viet Nam."
