Japan commits more aid for development

TOKYO — Japan pledged to continue providing Viet Nam with Official Development Assistance (ODA) to help develop infrastructure and cope with climate change, Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba told visiting Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Tokyo yesterday.

While appraising the fast development of the strategic partnership between the two countries, both agreed to enhance dialogue.

Phuc suggested the host implement agreements reached by leaders of the two countries, including construction of Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant No 2 and development of the rare-earth industry. Phuc spoke highly of Japanese aid in mapping out an industry development strategy.

Foreign Minister Gemba offered to push the Viet Nam-Japan economic partnership agreement to promote trade and investment.

He also said he would consider Viet Nam's request that rules governing the granting of visas to Vietnamese to study and work in Japan be relaxed.

Phuc also met the senior vice-president of the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA), Hideaki Domichi.

He praised Japan for providing the highest ever amount of ODA to Viet Nam in the 2011 fiscal year.

Phuc also asked the Japanese government to increase ODA as Viet Nam was carrying out major infrastructure projects, was trying to reduce poverty and was responding to climate change.

While in Japan, Phuc attended a Viet Nam-Japan forum on judicial reform, where he said one of his nation's main tasks was to implement judicial reforms.

He said Viet Nam wanted to learn from Japan's experiences in reforming its legal and justice system.

Domichi said Japan would assign specialists to help. — VNS