Japan wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in areas that the two countries are interested in, said former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who is leading a Japanese parliamentarian delegation to Vietnam.

The former Japanese PM made the statement while meeting with Ho Duc Viet, Head of the Organisation Commission of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, in Hanoi on October 23.

At the reception, Viet, who is also a Poliburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee, said he was pleased with positive development in the Japan-Vietnam relations in various fields, including politics, diplomacy, economics, culture, science and technology, and transport.

He spoke highly of the two countries’ cooperation in atomic energy and thanked the Japanese side for its assistance for Vietnam in training human resources.

He also expressed his wish that Japan and Vietnam will maintain and further develop the friendship between the two legislative bodies and two States.

Yukio Hatoyama informed the host of the results of the Japanese delegation’s working sessions with Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Van Phong and Minister of Transport Ho Nghia Dung.

The former Japanese PM also extended his deep condolences and sympathy to flood victims in central provinces . On behalf of the Japanese delegation, Yukio Hatoyama presented 1 million JPY (250 million VND) to help the victims overcome difficulties and stabilise their lives./.