President Sang welcomes closer ties with key Japanese province   President Truong Tan Sang (right) receives a delegation from Japan's Fukuoka Province headed by Ogawa Hiroshi yesterday during their visit to Viet Nam. - VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang HA NOI (VNS)- President Truong Tan Sang yesterday proposed expanding co-operation between Fukuoka prefecture and Vietnamese localities, speaking at a reception for the province's Governor, Ogawa Hiroshi, in Ha Noi. President Sang emphasised Japan as Viet Nam's leading partner, adding that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's choice to visit Viet Nam after taking office, symbolised Japan's appreciation of the Southeast Asian nation. He praised Fukuoka's efforts in promoting opportunities in Viet Nam, voicing support for Japan's initiatives to increase exchanges between the two countries' youths. The Fukuoka leader said he was impressed with Viet Nam's rapid development, adding that the prefecture's authorities and business community were actively involved in creating opportunities to expand cooperation between the two nations. He also expressed an appreciation of traditional ties between Fukuoka and Ha Noi, urging greater efforts in cultural exchange. It is expected Fukuoka will send 1,000 high school students to Viet Nam to participate in exchanges with Vietnamese peers, Ogawa Hiroshi said. The prefecture is also keen to promote the image of Japan in Viet Nam with ‘Fukuoka Days', he added. He affirmed that a close relationship existed between Viet Nam and Fukuoka, evidenced by the establishment of a Vietnamese consulate in Fukuoka and a direct air route to the prefecture. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan announced plans on Wednesday to organise "Viet Nam's Days" in Japan from September 12-22 to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties as the 2013 Viet Nam-Japan Friendship Year. The event will take place in Japan's largest cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe Nagoya and Fukuoka; jointly organised by the Ministries of the Foreign Affairs, and Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnamese Embassy. The event will be the largest of its kind and include a wide range of activities. The "Viet Nam Festival 2013" to be held at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, from September 14-15 will welcome approximately 150,000 visitors. The "Hello Viet Nam-Aichi 2013" festival will be held for the first time in Aichi province, where Vietnamese students form the largest community among those from Asia. – VNS