Crown Prince, Princess Akishino mark 50th anniversary of diplomacy in Vietnam

Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Akishino have attended a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the country and Vietnam in its capital Hanoi.

The two are now visiting Vietnam.

In a speech at the ceremony on Thursday evening, the Crown Prince said the bilateral friendship has been nurtured over a long time through constant efforts by people of both countries. He added that he hopes that the visit will help deepen mutual understanding and friendly ties.

A senior official of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party proposed a toast, expressing hope that the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries will move into a fresh stage of development.

Earlier on Thursday afternoon, the couple met 19 descendants of soldiers of the now-defunct Imperial Japanese military who remained in Vietnam after World War Two and fought for its independence from France.

One of the descendants, who is 74 years old, had also met Japan's Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita when they visited Vietnam as Emperor and Empress six years ago.

Many former Japanese soldiers were forced to return to Japan in the 1950s and later without their families, partly due to political changes in Vietnam.

The Crown Prince referred to hardship experienced by the descendants in his speech at the commemoration ceremony.

He said he was deeply impressed to learn that some of them have kept in touch with the families of the soldiers who returned to Japan.