Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) received Ryu Shionoya, President of Japan-Mekong Parliamentary Friendship Association, in Hanoi on July 27, 2018 (Photo: VNA/Thong Nhat)

Mr. Phuc made the statement at a reception for Ryu Shionoya, President of Japan-Mekong Parliamentary Friendship Association, in Hanoi on Friday. The Prime Minister praised Japan’s role in boosting cooperation in the Mekong Sub-region. He called on Japan to work more closely with Vietnam in infrastructure development, industries, value chains, human resource training, environmental protection, managing and developing sustainably the Mekong river water source, and fighting natural disasters and diseases.

Mr. Shionoya said Japan is willing to cooperate with countries in the Mekong Sub-region for common benefits and prosperity. He expected that Japan and Vietnam will forge closer investment and trade ties for Vietnam’s sustainable development, saying that 1,700 Japanese companies are investing in Vietnam in various areas like infrastructure, energy, and education.