At a press briefing on October 27, the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s deputy spokesperson Hidenobu Sobashima, said that the visit shows Japan’s keen interest in strengthening ties with Vietnam.

Since November 2006, this is the first official visit by Japanese Prime Minister to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Sobashima said he hopes that the talks between the two Prime Ministers will be successful. They will discuss a wide range of issues to boost bilateral ties, including infrastructure development, security co-operation and closer coordination at international forums.

Sobashima added that two other issues included in the agenda are related to nuclear power plants and a high-speed railway line.

Japan also wants to sign nuclear co-operation agreement with Vietnam as soon as possible, he said.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan will arrive in Hanoi on October 28 to attend meetings related to the ASEAN Summit, including the second Mekong-Japan Summit, the ASEAN+ 3 Summit and the East Asian Summit.