Japan always attaches importance to its strategic partnership with Vietnam and will continue support Vietnam in implementing its industrialisation and modernisation.

Visiting Japanese Minister of State in charge of Science and Technology Policy, Ocean Policy and Territory Integrity, Information Technology Policy, and Space Policy Yamamoto Ichita made the pledge at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on January 14.

At the reception, Minh suggested the two sides increase cooperation in science and technology, human resources training and implementing Vietnam ’s industrialisation strategy.

Both host and guest expressed their delight at the fine development of Vietnam-Japan relations as well as their coordination in organising the successful 2013 Friendship Year on marking the 40 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

They agreed to efficiently carry out agreements reached during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Japan last December.

The two sides also discussed regional and international issues of common concern, agreeing to further collaborate with each other at multilateral forums.-VNA