Vietnam-Japan bilateral ties have made a lot of progress, especially since the two countries’ leaders agreed to raise their relations to a strategic partnership status for peace and prosperity in Asia in 2009, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan said on May 22.

Doan, who will attend the Future of Asia Conference in Japan ’s capital of Tokyo from May 24, made this statement during a meeting with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Achi Prefecture .

She expressed her hope that the province will boost cooperation projects with Vietnam in light, processing and subsidiary industries, aviation and health.

Doan suggested the province establish relations with a Vietnam locality to mark Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year 2013.

Governor Ohmura said the prefecture pledged to keep providing surgery for children born with cleft palate or cleft lip defects and cooperate in health checks, treatment and equipment.

He said the prefecture’s 100 enterprises doing business in Vietnam, coupled with more flights between Nagoya and Ho Chi Minh City, will contribute to the further development of the two countries’ comprehensive cooperation.- VNA