Hatoyama pitches nuke power plant tech to Vietnam+

WASHINGTON, April 12 Kyodo -
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen
Tan Dung on Monday that Japan is keen on offering technological cooperation for
building nuclear power plants.
''Japan is interested in developing nuclear energy in Vietnam,'' Hatoyama was
quoted by a Japanese government official as saying to Dung in a meeting held in
Washington on the sidelines of a global nuclear summit. ''Japan has advanced
technology and maintains high safety standards.''
''As Japan is ready to cooperate on Vietnam's plan to introduce nuclear power,
I expect that Prime Minister Dung will choose Japan as the partner for the
construction (of nuclear power plants),'' the Japanese leader was quoted as
saying.
Dung responded that Vietnam highly evaluates Japan's safety standards and
technologies for producing nuclear energy and will seriously consider placing
an order with a Japanese company for nuclear power plant construction,
according to the official.
He also said Vietnam will consider adopting Japan's Shinkansen bullet train
system for a project to build a north-south high-speed railway and appreciates
financial support from Japan for the plan.
Hatoyama assured Dung that the Shinkansen is punctual and safe, and suggested
Japan will help Vietnam achieve financial viability and overcome other issues
in introducing the Japanese system, according to the official.
In a separate meeting, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for
Tokyo's continued support to help Brazilians in Japan live a stable life in
Japanese society.
The Brazilian president also invited participation by Japanese companies in a
project to build a high-speed railway between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
Hatoyama said in response that Japan is eager to support the project by taking
advantage of its advanced railway technology, expressing hope that Japanese
companies will take part in the project with successful bids, the official
said.
Hatoyama also held a bilateral meeting with European Union President Herman Van
Rompuy in the U.S. capital.
Hatoyama told Van Rompuy that Japan is eager to learn about the process through
which the EU established a common currency and regional framework, and that it
would be meaningful for both sides to enhance cooperation in various fields.
The leaders agreed to continue their dialogue on climate change issues during
an annual Japan-EU summit, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
==Kyodo