The Media of Vietnam and Japan should promote cooperation to strengthen mutual understanding and foster friendly relations between the governments and peoples of both countries.

Vietnam ’s Ambassador to Japan , Doan Xuan Hung, stated this at a reception for representatives of Japan ’s daily newspaper the Nikkei and the Vietnam News Agency’s bureau in Tokyo on May 30.

Ambassador Hung said that 2013 has been chosen as Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year to mark the 40 th anniversary of the two countries establishing diplomatic ties. Both countries will hold a series of activities to acknowledge the event, including a Vietnamese Festival in Japan in September, seminars on Vietnam’s investment environment, discussions on human resources training and several cultural and arts programmes.

He also said that the media will play an important role in promoting these events and providing information about both countries, peoples and cultures.

Hidenaka Kato from the Nikkei said he hoped to work closely with the Vietnamese side to cover the joint events and at the same time strengthen links with the media in Vietnam. -VNA