Under the MoU, VOV can reprint the Jiji Press’ news sources in English and the Japanese news agency can use the Japanese news published on the VOV Overseas Services Channel (VOV5 website).

Speaking at the signing ceremony, VOV Deputy General Director Vu Hai stressed the development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship over the past 40 years, ranging from politics, national defence, and security, to economics, culture, education, science and technology.

This MoU will contribute to further strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries, he added.

 

Jiji Press Business Executive Director Sdafumi Tani expressed hope that the initial MoU will serve as a foundation for long-term cooperation between VOV and his group.

While at an earlier reception for Tani, VOV Director General Nguyen Dang Tien hailed Jiji Press for its efforts in applying new technologies to news production and publication, including via the internet, to provide up-to-date information to the international community.

He took this occasion to thank thanked Japan, and the group in particular for supporting Vietnam over the years.

Japan is now Vietnam’s largest official development assistance (ODA) donor. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe chose the country as his first destination on his inaugural overseas trip, demonstrating Japan’s special interest in Vietnam and its desire to lift the relationship to new highs, Tien said.

Tani noted the cooperation between VOV and Jiji Press, highlighting their collaborative efforts to cover the 2013 Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year and the celebrations of the two countries’ 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Jiji Press opened a representative office in Hanoi in September 2011, and it plans to extend its operation, he said.

Jiji Press is a prestigious Japanese wire service founded on November 1, 1945.

It now has 78 branch offices in Japan and 28 general bureaux around the world, including in Vietnam.

VOV