President concludes trip to Japan for former PM Abe Shinzo's funeral

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the State funeral for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo (Photo: VNA)

Tokyo (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phucand a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation landed in Hanoi on September 28afternoon, concluding their trip to Japan to attend the State funeral for formerPrime Minister Abe Shinzo.

During his nearly four-day stay in Japan, Phuc alsohad meetings with leaders of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, Government,National Diet, friendship organisations and friends.

At the funeral in Tokyo on September 27, the Presidentand his entourage laid a wreath in tribute to the late Japanese PM – a closefriend of Vietnam, saying he treasures the special sentiments and valuable supportof Abe to the Vietnamese land and people.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc holds talks with Japanese PM Kishida Fumio (Photo: VNA)

During a reception for delegation heads to the funeral,hosted by Japanese PM Kishida Fumio and the spouse of the late PM, Abe Akie,President Phuc once again extended his deepest condolences over the passing of Abe.

He suggested the two countries work harder to promotethe bilateral relationship more comprehensively and pragmatically, as per the wishesof the late leader.

Both Kishida and the widow shared the view that theVietnamese delegation’s attendance at the funeral has clearly demonstrated thefriendship and close cooperation between people of the two countries.

Kishida pledged to make greater efforts to advance theVietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership to a new height, meeting aspirationsof the two countries’ people and the late PM in particular.

President Phuc also met with Japanese Emperor Naruhitofollowing the funeral, conveying the invitations of Party GeneralSecretary Nguyen Phu Trong and himself to the Emperor and the Empress tovisit Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of thebilateral diplomatic ties in 2023.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Japanese Emperor Naruhito (Photo: VNA)

Before leaving Tokyo, Phuc and his entourage visited AbeAkie in her residence. He said the late PM was one of the international leaders most loved and respected by the Vietnamese people.

On the sidelines of the funeral, the Vietnamese leaderalso met with Japan's Speaker of the House of Representatives Hosoda Hiroyuki, Presidentof the House of Councillors Otsuji Hidehisa, President of the Japan-VietnamFriendship Parliamentary Alliance Nikai Toshihiro, former Japanese PM SugaYoshihide, and some local governors.

The two sides reached consensus on major orientationsand measures to promote the bilateral relationship, towards the 50th anniversary.

On this occasion, Phuc also had meetings withrepresentatives from other countries attending the funeral./.

VNA