(VOVworld) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday began a Vietnam visit at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. This is Abe’s first trip abroad since being elected Prime Minister last year and his second Vietnam visit, the first being in his previous term, in November 2006.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his previous Vietnam visit (Photo: vietbao.vn)

This visit will deepen the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation in politics, security, national defence, trade, and investment. The two prime ministers will use this 2-day visit to launch Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year 2013, which marks the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic ties.