(VOVworld)- Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko met former Vietnamese students who once studied in Japan during an exchange at Van Mieu (the Temple of Literature) in Hanoi on Thursday.

Japanese Emperor, Empress meet Japan alumni

They conveyed their regards to the Japan alumni and thanked them for serving as a bridge of bilateral friendship and cooperation during their stay in Japan. The Japanese royal couple expressed their hope that the alumni will continue to make practical and helpful contributions to fostering ties between Japan and Vietnam.

Vice Rector of the Vietnam National University’s University of Foreign Languages and International Studies Ngo Minh Thuy, who is also Vice President of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association (VJFA) and Chairwoman of the Japan Alumni Club in Vietnam, said: “The Japanese Emperor and Empress are very friendly. Their questions for us are closely relevant to our concerns. They represent the Japanese spirit. It’s our great honor to welcome the Japanese Emperor and Empress. They pay special attention to education and students of the two countries.”

In the afternoon the same day, the Japanese guests met families of Japanese war veterans living in Vietnam.