HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc met with Hiroshi Hase, Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, in Hà Nội yesterday, describing education as the countries’ best realm of co-operation.

He expressed his delight at the two countries’ signing of the strategic cooperation programme on education while highlighting the comprehensive strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Japan.

Educational collaboration has been brought to fruition, he said, noting that there were increasing numbers of Vietnamese and Japanese students in each other’s country.

Việt Nam’s Ministry of Education and Training inked agreements with 17 universities in Japan on support and tuition fee reductions for students. The two Governments have also actively carried out training programmes to help Việt Nam develop skilled manpower.

PM Phúc asked the Japanese minister to press on with the strategic cooperation programme on education, supporting Việt Nam in human resources development, boosting affiliation between the nations’ universities, and fostering partnerships in scientific research.

He considered the profound relationship between the two peoples a good condition for expanding their cultural ties.

On this occasion, the leader also expressed sympathy for Japan on the heavy damage caused by the recent earthquakes. He highly values the Japanese people’s spirit during infrastructure rebuilding and life stabilisation.

At the meeting, Minister Hase informed the host about education and training co-operation outcomes, adding that the application of the Japanese education model in Việt Nam would be continued.

His country is ready to give training to Vietnamese doctors in cancer treatment using radiation therapy, which Japan has a strength in. It would also work with the Southeast Asian nation to preserve old cultural publications, he said.

The guest also conveyed PM Shinzo Abe’s invitation to his Vietnamese counterpart to visit Japan in the near future. — VNS