Japan Emperor Hopes for Closer Ties with Vietnam

Hanoi, March 1 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Emperor Akihito on Wednesday expressed hope that his ongoing visit to Vietnam together with Empress Michiko will help strengthen ties between the two countries. In a speech during a dinner party hosted by Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and his wife, the Emperor expressed his "great pleasure" to visit the Southeast Asian nation for the first time. "Our two countries have enjoyed various exchanges since ancient times," said the Emperor, noting that Vietnam's "nha nhac" traditional music and Japan's "gagaku" ancient court music have the same roots. He also mentioned hundreds of Vietnamese students who came to study in Japan under the "Dong Du" independence movement in Vietnam early in the 20th century. "It is my sincere hope that our visit will contribute to further deepening our mutual understanding and strengthening the ties of friendly relations" between the two peoples, the Emperor said. Calling Japan as a true friend of Vietnam, the Vietnamese president said he is confident that the Imperial visit opens a new page in the bilateral friendship. During the party, Japanese musician Tetsuya Komuro, 58, and students at a local school for the visually impaired together played Japanese and Vietnamese songs, adding to the friendly atmosphere. In a meeting earlier in the day, the Emperor told the president that it is important to continue efforts to make their countries better while remembering the long history of bilateral exchanges, according to the Imperial Household Agency. Also on the same day, the Imperial couple visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and observed silent prayers for the leader of Vietnam's independence movement who lies in repose there. END