The Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yasuaki Tanizaki hosted a reception in Hanoi on Dec. 13, to mark the 78th birthday of Japanese Emperor Akihito and the National Day of Japan (Dec. 23).

Ambassador Yasuaki Tanizaki expressed his pleasure at the fine development of friendship and cooperation between Japan and Vietnam .

Bilateral cooperation was strengthened markedly by the new project to build a nuclear power plant in Vietnam, while the supply of official development assistance (ODA) to key economic infrastructure projects, including highways, ports and airports, is a symbol of cooperative relations between the two countries, the ambassador said.

By the end of November, Japanese investment to Vietnam had increased rapidly with 172 new investment projects.

Ambassador Yasuaki Tanizaki expressed his wish that cooperation between the two countries will expand in many areas, including science and technology, security and regional cooperation and that the relations will benefit Vietnam and Japan as well as the region.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government and people, Construction Minister Trinh Dinh Dung expressed his warmest regards and congratulations to the Japanese Emperor, government and people.

Dung expressed his deep sympathies over the great losses of the Japanese Government and people caused by natural disasters.

He expressed thanks to Japan for constantly providing Vietnam with large amounts of ODA, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s largest bilateral donor and expressed his wish that cooperation between the two countries will be boosted to meet the benefits and aspirations of the two countries and people./.