Mr. and Mrs. Akishino attend a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in Vietnam

Mr. and Mrs. Akishino, who are on an official visit to Vietnam, attended a ceremony in Hanoi on the evening of the 21st to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam.

Mr. and Mrs. Akishino arrived at the International Conference Center in central Hanoi on the evening of the 21st local time and attended a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan.

At the ceremony, Mr. Akishino said, "I believe that the friendly relations between our two countries have been forged through the ceaseless efforts of the people of our two countries over a long history, and I hope that this visit will help to further deepen the bonds of mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of our two countries."

A senior member of the Communist Party of Vietnam gave a toast by saying, "I pray for the development of a new and further phase of the broad strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan."

Meeting with the descendants of the "remaining Japan soldiers"

On the afternoon of the 21st local time, Mr. and Mrs. Akishino met at their hotel with 2 descendants of the "remaining Japan soldiers" who were stationed in French Indochina during World War II and remained there after the end of the war to participate in the war of independence with France.

Many of the remaining Japan soldiers have been forced to return to Japan alone since the 19s, partly due to changes in the political system, and many families have survived.

Cao Khanh Tuong, 1950, son of a former Japan soldier who also met with the Emperor and his wife during their official visit to Vietnam six years ago, said, "I am very touched and grateful that Prince Akishino and his wife cared about us during their visit Japan. I hope that the people of both countries will be able to understand each other better."

In his speech at the ceremony commemorating the 6th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Prince Akishino said, "I Japan Japan have heard that the families of former Japan soldiers who were forced to return to Japan due to recommendations after Vietnam gained independence have suffered a lot of hardship. I was deeply moved to hear that there are people with whom we are still interacting even now."