Tokyo (VNA) – Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc and leaders of Mekong region countries met with Japan's Emperor and Crown Prince, and representatives from the Mekong-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League (MJPFL) onOctober 9 in the framework of the 10th Mekong-Japan summit in Tokyo.

The Vietnamese Government leader and the Mekong countries’ leaders also attendedthe Mekong-Japan Investment Forum and had a meeting with the Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN) on thesame day.

At the meeting with Mekong leaders, the Japanese Emperor and Crown Prince highlightedthe importance of mutual trust and understanding between Japan and Mekong countries,expressing their hope that the Mekong-Japan Friendship Year in 2019 will helppromote exchange among the governments and people of the six countries.

PM Phuc expressed his respect for the deep concern that the Emperor, Crown Prince and the Japanese Royal Family have given to Vietnam and the Japan-Vietnamrelationship in recent times.

He affirmed that the Government and peopleof Vietnam give high priority to their relationship with Japan and to comprehensivelypromoting and strengthening the bilateral relations.

Meeting with representatives from the MJPFL, PM Phuc appreciated the role played by the leagueand hoped that the organisation would continue to contribute to promoting themulti-faceted and substantial cooperation between Japan and the Mekongcountries.

Chairman of the MJPFL RyuShionoya and Chief Cabinet Secretary,advisor of the League Yoshihide Suga expressed their honour to receive the leaders ofthe six Mekong countries, affirming that the league will do its utmost to strengthencooperation between Japan and the Mekong countries in the spheres of infrastructure,investment, trade, the environment, human resources training, and people-to-peopleexchange.

At the working session with representatives from the Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN) and its memberenterprises the same day, PM Phuc praised the role of the federation as a bridgeto promoting Japan’s investment in the Mekong region, as well as the successfulbusiness and contributions of Japanese firms in Vietnam.

He introduced the achievements and potential of Vietnam’s economy, as well asthe Vietnamese Government’s orientations towards maintaining socio-politicalstability, improving the business and investment environment, and promoting internationalintegration so as to advance into the leading group of ASEAN.

The Vietnamese leader emphasised that similarities in culture and social valuesare the cornerstone of Vietnam-Japan relations, facilitating furtherdevelopment of economic ties.

KEIDANREN Chairman NobuyukiKoga affirmed that the federation will continue to promote the investmentactivities of Japanese firms in the Mekong region, towards building a prosperousarea with sustainable development. –VNA