Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda received Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh and his entourage in Tokyo on Oct. 24.

PM Noda said that the delegation’s visit reflected the goodwill of both Japan and Vietnam to boost the two countries’ comprehensive strategic cooperation.

Japan attaches importance to developing its relations with Vietnam and wants the relationship to become stronger in all fields, particularly defence, he said.

Minister Thanh said that his working visit to Japan aims to continue implementing the Vietnam-Japan joint statement on the comprehensive development of strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia signed by the two governments in 2010.

Earlier, Minister Thanh held talks with his Japanese counterpart Yasuo Ichikawa in which both sides agreed to closely cooperate in bilateral and multilateral forums. The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral defence cooperation./.