Japan is committed to providing Vietnam with Official Development Assistance (ODA) to help develop infrastructure and cope with climate change.

This was confirmed by Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba while receiving Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Tokyo on July 2.

Both agreed to promote the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Phuc suggested the host implement the agreements reached by leaders of the two countries, on construction of Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant No 2 and development of the rare-earth industry. Phuc spoke highly of Japanese assistance in mapping out an industry development strategy.

Foreign Minister Gemba insisted on greater efforts to promote trade and investment.

He said he will consider Vietnam’s request for the granting of visas to Vietnamese to study and work in Japan.

Phuc also met the senior vice-president of Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA), Hideaki Domichi.

Ha praised Japan for providing the highest ever amount of ODA to Vietnam in the 2011 fiscal year.

Phuc asked the Japanese government to increase ODA as Vietnam is carrying out major infrastructure projects to reduce poverty and respond to climate change.

While in Japan, Phuc attended a Vietnam-Japan forum on judicial reform, saying one of his nation’s main tasks is to implement judicial reforms.

He said Vietnam wants to learn from Japan’s experience in reforming its legal and justice system.

Domichi said Japan will assign specialists to help./.