VietNamNet Bridge - New Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is coming to Vietnam this week as his first overseas trip after taking office.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement, at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his wife, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife will pay an official visit to Vietnam on January 16-17.

Vietnam is the first overseas destination of the new Prime Minister of Japan.

Luong Thanh Nghi, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two prime ministers will discuss the direction to deepen the strategic partnership of Vietnam - Japan, to promote cooperation between the two countries on the fields of politics, national security, economics, trade and investment.

The two Prime Ministers will also announce the opening of the Year of Vietnam - Japan Friendship 2013 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will also be meeting other senior leaders of Vietnam.

Vietnam is the first destination within the South East Asia trip by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which will last from January 16 to 19, to the three countries of Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand.

On January 8, the Japanese media also reported that the new Prime Minister Abe will come to Southeast Asia firstly, whether in his campaign, Abe said he would visit the United States before any other country.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Yoshihide Suga on January 10 said that the countries that Prime Minister Abe will visit are the leading countries in economic growth in Southeast Asia, and Japan should expand economic relations with this region.

"It is important to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN countries to ensure peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region." Mr. Suga stressed that these countries have strategic importance to Japan.

Linh Thu – Thai An