Close-knit friendship is treasure of Vietnam and Japan   Vietnam-Japan People's Friendship Festival Nhan Dan- On the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (September 21,1973–2013), various celebratory activities were held as part of ‘Vietnam- Japan Friendship Year’ ‘Vietnam Days in Japan 2013’ from September 12-22 and the ‘Vietnam- Japan People’s Friendship Festival in Vietnam’ from September 20-22. These activities have deepened the friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and Japan. This was affirmed by former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam- Japan People’s Festival in Vietnam on September 20. The festival, which attracted many delegates from both countries, included various activities contributing to the significance of the Vietnam- Japan Friendship Year 2013. In the 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the great effort by the people of both countries has developed the friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and Japan fruitfully and comprehensively. In particular, people exchange has been one of important factors in developing bilateral relations in a more effective, expansive and profound manner. Former Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi emphasised that the most valuable asset in the bilateral friendship and co-operative relations nurtured by the two people is a close-knit sentiment. In 2011, right after the earthquake and Tsunami hit eastern Japan, the Vietnamese people sent support to the Japanese people. “The Vietnamese people’s contribution to the Japanese people when they were in difficulties proves the fine sentiment that has long existed in the hearts of the two countries,” said Murayama Tomiichi. The relations between Vietnam and Japan have been set up from long-standing cultural, economic and people-to-people exchange. President of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association Nghiem Vu Khai said Hoi An ancient town and Bridge Pagoda have witnessed busy trading between Vietnamese and Japanese people since the late 16th century. That relationship has been developed in all fields and is now at its finest period to date. In addition, understanding between the two peoples continues to grow. As the two countries share many similarities in culture, the two nations should use this to their advantage to strengthen exchanges, expand co-operation and promote mutual understanding and trust. In recent years, people exchanges between the two countries have developed and achieved remarkable results. According to Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association Chairman Furuta Motoo there are now 60,000 Vietnamese people residing in Japan. The association has set up branches in Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, which aim to help Vietnamese people stabilise their life and secure jobs. ‘We’re proud of what we have done to nurture the deep friendship between the two people’, said Furuta Motoo. He also held that the two countries should accelerate language exchanges and co-ordination between friendship associations. The close exchange between the two people and the similarities in culture and customs are characteristic of the relations between Vietnam and Japan. Alongside cultural activities, people exchanges held in the Vietnam-Japan Friendship year 2013 have contributed to the promotion of understanding between the two peoples, creating a firm foundation for the sustainable development of the Vietnam-Japan friendship and co-operation. NhandanOnline