Japan is highly appreciative of Vietnam's efforts to peacefully resolve the East Sea dispute with China through diplomacy and dialogue, fully complying with international law. Japan's Parliamentary Senior Vice Minister of Defence Akinori Eto made the statement at a reception in Hanoi on July 7 hosted by Nguyen Kim Khoa, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for National Defence and Security. He said Japan encourages parties concerned to resolve the dispute peacefully in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Japan wants to cooperate with all ASEAN member countries in ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region, said the Japanese official. For his part, Khoa thanked the Japanese Government for early supporting Vietnam’s stance and opposing China’s illegal placement of the floating oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. He called on Japan and other countries to have stronger voices in support of Vietnam’s just struggle for justice in the East Sea. Khoa also spoke highly of Japan’s assistance to Vietnamese development over the years and expressed hope that the relations between the two countries will continue to blossom comprehensively.                                                                                                                                             VNA/VNN