Fumio Murata, Vice Governor of Fukushima prefecture, who heads the delegation, said the trip was to attend Fukushima Festival 2014 held in the Hanoi Women Museum on November 23. The festival is annual occasion to express gratitude of the Japanese people to Vietnam and the Vietnamese people for their spiritual and physical support and assistance when Japan suffered from tsunami disaster in 2011. The festival also introduces the images of a strong recovery both of Japan and Fukushima in particular. Except the site of nuclear power plants, nearly all populated areas in Fukushima have been restored to the status quo before the tsunami and life has returned to normal.
Vu Xuan Hong warmly congratulated the Fukushima delegates for the festival’s success and the speedy recovery from the natural disaster. He expected the festival would further be held in Vietnam to promote mutual culture exchange and understanding between the two peoples.
On behalf of Vietnamese people, Mr. Hong has thanked the government of Japan for extending official development assistance, with high technology and financial support to Vietnam for many years. Hong said Vietnam would use the funds effectively for multifaceted development of the country.
Tran Duc Minh
