Substantial development of Vietnam - Fukushima (Japan) relations through people-to-people exchange and cooperation

On October 20 in Hanoi, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association Bui Khac Son received a delegation from the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Association of Fukushima Prefecture led by flute artist Shakuhachi Tachibana Saburo. The two sides discussed measures to enhance people-to-people exchanges, cooperation in culture, health, agriculture and other areas of mutual interest, contributing to strengthening the friendly relations between Vietnam and Japan.

Mr. Bui Khac Son welcomed the delegation to visit Vietnam and organize people-to-people exchange activities. He highly appreciated the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association of Fukushima Prefecture's persistent contributions to the friendship between the two countries, especially the support for the Vietnamese people during the difficult times in the past.

The Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association received a delegation from the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Association of Fukushima prefecture. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Mr. Bui Khac Son gave an overview of the organization and activities of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association. He said that over the past time, the Association has coordinated to organize many meaningful activities such as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan; coordinated with the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group and the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam to implement many people-to-people exchange programs. It is expected that at the end of November 2025, the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association will organize a delegation to visit and work in Japan, and at the same time, wishes to continue to cooperate closely with the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Association of Fukushima Prefecture in exchange activities, connecting businesses and enhancing understanding between the people of the two countries.

Vice President of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association Nguyen Phu Binh affirmed that the Vietnam-Japan relationship is currently at its best, the two countries trust each other and consider each other as close friends. Japan always shares and supports Vietnam in human resource training, institutional innovation, infrastructure development and towards sustainable growth.

He shared that during his time as Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan (2008-2011), he had the opportunity to visit Fukushima before and after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster, through which he deeply felt the resilient spirit, the will to overcome difficulties and the extraordinary determination of the Japanese people, especially Fukushima. Despite experiencing many losses, the people of Fukushima always have good feelings for Vietnam, expressed through exchange activities, cooperation and practical support.

Mr. Nguyen Phu Binh expressed his hope that the relationship between Fukushima and Vietnam and between the two Associations will develop more and more strongly, and affirmed that the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association will increase practical activities, contributing to consolidating and promoting the friendly relationship between the two sides.

Delegates take souvenir photos. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

At the meeting, Mr. Tachibana Saburo said that the same morning the delegation attended the Vietnam - Japan Cultural Exchange and Meeting program at the Oriental University, where he performed the Shakuhachi flute - a traditional Japanese musical instrument - and interacted with Vietnamese students. He expressed his desire to continue promoting cultural exchanges, organizing homestay programs for Japanese language students and expanding people-to-people exchange activities in the future.

Members of the delegation expressed their emotion at the close relationship between the people of the two countries, especially appreciating the help that the Vietnamese people gave to Japan, including Fukushima province, after the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011. Many opinions proposed continuing to implement cultural exchange activities, cooperation in the fields of agriculture , clean water, environmental protection, medical support and connecting the people of the two countries.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/phat-trien-thuc-chat-quan-he-viet-nam-fukushima-nhat-ban-qua-giao-luu-va-hop-tac-nhan-dan-217079.html