(VOVworld/VNA) - Relations between Vietnam and Japan are not only purely a strategic partnership.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (Source: VNA)

Both nations are two friends with the same heartbeat, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has said.  He made the remark at a recent interview granted for a Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent in Tokyo on the occasion of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s upcoming visit to Japan. Dung is travelling to participate in the Japan-ASEAN Commemorative Summit. Hatoyama said Vietnam is the country which Japan has built the most trustful partnership with, adding that the enhancement of their “fraternity” will create a favorable environment for cooperation in the region. Regarding the relations between Japan and the ASEAN, Hatoyama said Japan will provide support for each ASEAN member country through ODA projects. It will also work closely with ASEAN members to better infrastructure system, focusing on countries that have strong economic growth. Former Japanese Prime Minister said Vietnam will play a central role in the ASEAN Economic Community which will be established by 2015.