Japan pledged to continue providing Vietnam with Official Development Assistance (ODA) to help develop infrastructure and cope with climate change, Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba told visiting Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Tokyo on July 2.

While praising the fast development of the strategic partnership between the two countries, both agreed to enhance efficiency of dialogue mechanisms, such as the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee and the strategic cooperation dialogue at deputy foreign ministerial level.

Phuc suggested that the host push implementation of agreements reached by leaders of the two countries, including construction of Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant No 2 and development of the rare-earth industry in Vietnam .

The Deputy PM spoke highly of Japanese aid in mapping out an industry development strategy for Vietnam . He also proposed that both countries promote people-to-people diplomacy to mark the 40-year anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the Vietnam-Japan friendship year in 2013.

Foreign Minister Gemba offered to push the Vietnam-Japan economic partnership agreement to promote trade and investment.

He also said he would consider Vietnam ’s request that rules governing the granting of visas to Vietnamese to study and work in Japan be relaxed.-VNA