Tokyo (VNA) – A statue of Vietnam’s latePresident Ho Chi Minh was presented to Mimasaka city of Japan’s Okayamaprefecture on November 21.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders ofVietnam, Chairman of the Vietnamese President Office Dao Viet Trung presentedthe statue, which depicts Ho Chi Minh reading newspaper, to representatives ofthe Mimasaka administration and people.

The first Ho Chi Minh statue in Japan waspresented when the two countries are preparing to celebrate the 45th foundinganniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2018.

Aside from the statue presentation, the “Vietnam– Ho Chi Minh Space” was also inaugurated at the Mimasaka City Museum.

Chairman of the President Office Dao Viet Trungsaid the statue of Ho Chi Minh is a symbol of the two countries’ friendship andextensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.

He also valued the Mimasaka Mayor and people’ssentiment towards the late President, acknowledging the cooperation between thecity and its people and Vietnam’s relevant agencies in installing the statueand opening the space.

Mayor Hajiwara Seiji said on behalf of thecity’s administration and people, he had sent a letter to the Vietnamese PrimeMinister to express their wish to have a statue of Vietnam’s beloved leader HoChi Minh, who is admired by Japanese people.

Mimasaka is proud to be the first place in Japanto have a statue of the late President, he noted, voicing his belief that thestatue and the Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh Space will help attract more Japanese andforeign tourists to the museum.-VNA