Việt Nam, Japan exchange programme looks to the future

Representatives from the Japan Social Contribution Fund donate gifts and wheelchairs to the Đà Nẵng City’s Association of Persons with Disabilities during the first Việt Nam-Japan Cultural Exchange - Towards the Future’ programme in Đà Nẵng City. Photo courtesy of Lê Lâm

ĐÀ NẴNG – Wheelchairs, gifts and friendly visits were presented to people with disabilities, Agent Orange victims and children in Đà Nẵng City during the first ‘Việt Nam-Japan Cultural Exchange - Towards the Future’ programme in the central city.

The programme features a series of activities and cultural exchanges among Vietnamese and Japanese partners, including: the Japan Social Contribution Fund - led by Abe Akie (the wife of the former Japanese Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo), the Đà Nẵng Mikazuki Japanese Resorts & Spa, Kisarazu City High School, Đà Nẵng University, Social Support Centre of Đà Nẵng, Đà Nẵng City’s Association of Persons with Disabilities, and the Association of Persons with Disabilities of Liên Chiểu District.

The ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to Việt Nam, Yamada Takio, presents a speech at the first ‘Việt Nam-Japan Cultural Exchange - Towards the Future’ in Đà Nẵng. Photo courtesy of Lê Lâm

At the event, the Japan Social Contribution Fund donated wheelchairs to help people with disabilities in Đà Nẵng in the presence of Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam Yamada Takio, the Consulate General of Japan in Đà Nẵng, representatives of the Đà Nẵng people’s committee and Kisarazu, and Vietnamese and Japanese students from Kisarazu Sogo High School.   

The delegation from the Japan Social Contribution Fund also paid a visit to children at the Agent Orange Victims Support Centre in Đà Nẵng.

“Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Việt Nam and Japan with many great steps of progress in the relationship of the two countries. The people-to-people connection between Japan and Việt Nam has been a key factor in promoting the ties to their current ‘best ever’ level,” Yamada Takio said at the wheelchair donation on March 3.              

“The connection between hearts and sharing also helps contribute to the fruitful relationship of Việt Nam and Japan. The wheelchair donation today is a typical symbol of the heart-to-heart links between people from the two countries. I hope the wheelchairs would ease the hardships for Vietnamese people, as the effort further deepens Japan-Việt Nam friendship ties.”

President of the Japan Social Contribution Fund, Abe Akie (the wife of the former Japanese Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo) joins a donation of wheelchairs to people with disabilities in Đà Nẵng and Việt Nam-Japan exchange event in the city. VNS Photo Công Thành

President of the Japan Social Contribution Fund, Abe Akie expressed her thanks to organisers of the first Việt Nam-Japan Cultural Exchange and the student exchange programme from Kisarazu Sogo high-school.

“Việt Nam has achieved rapid development in recent years, while Japan had already been an economic power for decades. However, it seems there was something lost after the development. I hope we could recognise the importance of culture and customs preservation in line with development of a country,” Abe Akie shared.

“I believe a developed and happy country is really recognised when everyone in that country all expect peace for their country, as well as around the world.”   

With the presence of Abe Akie, the exchange event has become a meaningful and profoundly humanitarian festival, elevating the friendship between the Vietnamese and Japanese communities.

The wheelchairs will help the people with disabilities move conveniently and easily, reducing the burden of care for their families and easing difficulties in their lives, but the gift is also a symbol of compassion and love from the Japan Social Contribution Fund. VNS