Japan to approve Remdesivir for coronavirus treatment this May
	Japan's Mimasaka city thanks Yen Bai for 20,000 medical masks
	Experts urge caution when using Avigan as COVID-19 treatment

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc holds phone talks with Japanese counterpart Abe Shinzo (Photo: VNA)

According to VNA, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Japanese counterpart Abe Shinzo discussed on COVID-19 fight and bilateral ties over phone call on May 4 afternoon.

PM Phuc said with a high determination, strong policies and the people'support, Vietnam has basically controlled the COVID-19 and gradually normalised socio-economic activities.

He thanked the Japanese Government for providing Vietnam with more than 1.8 million USD through international organisations to combat the pandemic. He also announced that Vietnam decided to support Japan’s anti-coronavirus fight with 140,000 medical masks.

PM Abe spoke highly of Vietnam's effective COVID-19 response measures and impressive achievements gained in the fight. He expressed his thanks to the Government and people of Vietnam for providing medical supplies and masks for Japan.

The two sides affirmed to continue to care for and ensure the safety of each other's citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak. PM Abe announced that the Japanese Government has decided to provide JPY 100,000 (USD 935) per person for not only Japanese but also Vietnamese citizens living and working in Japan.

The two leaders agreed to increase exchanges and cooperation in all areas as well as encourage and support Japanese enterprises to increase investment in Vietnam. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo affirmed that Japan will deliver the second aid package to help Vietnam deal with the epidemic and promote economic growth.

The two leaders agreed on continued close cooperation at regional and international forums.

Phuc appreciated Japan's initiatives launched at the Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit held on April 14 on the establishment of the ASEAN Center for Infectious Diseases and concessional loans for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the region. He asked Japan to assist the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund and the regional reserves of medical supplies.

Abe highly valued Vietnam's important role as the ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, affirming that Japan will continue to work closely with Vietnam on regional and international issues of mutual interest, and together accelerate the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020 and effectively implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Three Vietnamese citizens among 117 foreigners to be decorated by Japan Three Vietnamese will be among 117 foreigners recognized by the Japanese government in this year's spring decorations for their notable contributions to relations with Japan, ...

COVID-19 treatment: Japan to free-provide Avigan to 38 countries this week Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said April 28 that Japan will begin providing the anti-flu drug Avigan for free to 38 countries as early as ...

Japan's Mimasaka city thanks Yen Bai for 20,000 medical masks Mayor of Mimasaka city has sent a letter of gratitude to Vietnam's northwest province of Yen Bai for their support to the locality after it was struck by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), ...