International new agencies reports Japanese King’s visit to Vietnam

(VNF) - Major global news agencies have reported the visit by Japanese King Akihito and Empress Michiko to Vietnam.

The 83-year-old Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are on their first visit to the country, the latest in a series of trips to former battlegrounds, starting from Feb 28.

"It is our hope that our visit to Vietnam will contribute to the further development of the mutual understanding and friendly relations between our two countries," Mr. Akihito said earlier at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

According to the official agenda, Akihito and Michiko are scheduled to visit Hanoi and the Hue citadels in the central part of Vietnam.

Recently, the official visit of the Japanese Emperor and Empress have been capturing the attention of various news agencies worldwide.

According to the renowned news firm of Japan - the JiJi Press (reported Feb 28), this is the first visit to Vietnam by the Emperor and the Empress, and also their first overseas trip since they made an official visit to the Philippines in January 2016.

The Emperor and Empress of Japan arrived at Noi Bai Airport on Feb 28 (source: zingnews)

JiJi Press yesterday (Mar 3), quoted the message made by the Emperor when speaking about the close relation in terms of culture between two countries: "Our two countries have enjoyed various exchanges since ancient times," as Vietnam's "nha nhac" traditional music and Japan's "gagaku" ancient court music have the same roots.

Meanwhile, Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported that the Emperor and Empress would meet Nguyen Duc, 36, who was born conjoined to his late brother, Viet. Their condition is believed to have been caused by the effects of Agent Orange and other herbicides sprayed over the country by US forces during the Vietnam War.

The twins received treatment in Japan in 1986 and were surgically separated in 1988, under the care of Japanese and Vietnamese doctors, the news outlet said on Feb 28.

According to The South China Morning Post - the China's newspaper of record based in Hongkong, Japan’s Emperor arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a whirlwind tour that will include a meeting with families of Japanese soldiers who stayed there after the second world war.

Meanwhile, the global news outlet AP stated: Today, Japan is Vietnam's biggest foreign donor and one of its top investors and trading partners. Apart from that, the two countries have enjoyed closer military and security ties in recent years.

The Emperor's visit follows one by Japanese Prime Minister in January, during which he pledged to provide Vietnam with new patrol vessels./.

( VNF )