This activity is part of the first ‘Viet Nam-Japan Exchange towards the Future’ event taking place at the Mikazuki Japanese Resorts & Spa Da Nang from March 1 to 3.

A representative of the Japan Foundation for Social Contribution Fund (right) donate wheelchairs to 3 units in Da Nang, March 3, 2024. Photo: THU HA

In attendance at this highly inviting exchange event were Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Yamada Takio, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang Yakabe Yoshinori, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Council Nguyen Thi Anh Thi and Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong.

Delivering a speech at the event, Vice Chairman Cuong said that Viet Nam - Japan relationship are at the best stage of development, with high political trust, especially in the context that the two countries have upgraded their relationship to comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia, and the world at large.

Japan is the leading economic partner and also the leading country among 40 countries and territories all over the world investing in Da Nang. In the field of tourism, Japan is one of the city’s key tourist source markets.

Vice Chairman Cuong, on behalf of the city’s government and people, thanked the Japan Social Contribution Support Fund and Ms. Abe Akie, the wife of the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, for supporting wheelchairs for disabled people living difficult situation in Da Nang.

At the same time, he thanked the Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam and the Japanese Consulate General in Da Nang for promoting bilateral cooperation programmes, especially the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP).

This year, Da Nang continues to receive attention from the Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam when sponsoring the project of building classrooms for Phu Tuc School, Hoa Phu Kindergarten in Hoa Vang District. It is expected that the exchange event will help the two sides better understand each other and foster the strong development of friendship between the two countries.

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong (right) presentes a souvenir to Ms. Abe Akie, wife of the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, the chairwoman of the Japan Foundation for Social Contribution Fund. Photo: THU HA

According to Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Yamada Takio, 2023 marked the 50^th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relationships between Viet Nam and Japan and witnessed great progress in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“The wheelchairs donated by Japan are a symbol of the connection between the hearts of the people of Japan and Viet Nam, contributing to further deepening the friendship between the two peoples," Mr. Yamada Takio said.

It is known that the first Viet Nam - Japan heading towards the future’ exchange event was organised by the Japan Foundation for Social Contribution Fund and the Mikazuki Japanese Resorts & Spa Da Nang for the purpose of cultural exchange, supporting the community and local residents. The foundation is chaired by Ms. Abe Akie, wife of the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

In this series of activities, on March 1, a delegation of Japanese students from Japan’s Kisarazu City High School and the University of Da Nang visited and gave gifts to children at the Da Nang Agent Orange Victims Support Centre. On March 3, wheelchairs were given to the Da Nang Social Protection Centre, the Da Nang Disabled People's Association and the Lien Chieu District Disabled People's Association. On the same day, three delegations from Japan Foundation for Social Contribution Fund visited children at the Da Nang Agent Orange Victims Support Centre.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by A.THU