A nuclear power plant in Japan.

In a talk with Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem last week, Japanese Foreign Minister Okada said Japan is willing to participate in Vietnam’s nuclear power project.

Deputy PM Khiem welcomed and appreciated the offer of Japanese nuclear technology, saying that Vietnam would consider this issue.

Japanese officials have previously expressed their wish to join Vietnam’s nuclear power projects.

In early March 2010, Japanese PM Yukio Hatoyama wrote to his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung. According to Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Mitsuo Sakaba, the letter showed Japan’s strong interest in the construction of nuclear power plants in Vietnam.

In early June 2010, Japanese Minister of Industry, Trade and Economics Masayuki Naoshima told his Vietnamese counterpart Vu Huy Hoang on the sideline of Asia-Pacific Trade Ministerial Meeting in Japan that Japan wished to build nuclear power plants in Vietnam.

Vietnam and Russia have reached agreement on the building of the first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan province.

Vietnam plans to build 13 nuclear power turbines in five central provinces from now to 2030. The first turbine of 1000 MW will be put into operation in 2020 and the second in 2021.

Nuclear power groups from Japan, France, Russia, the US, India, South Korea and China have positively participated in activities related to Vietnam’s nuclear power development plan through fairs, exhibitions, seminars, training activities, etc.

Apart from nuclear power, Japan also shows its interest in Vietnam’s north-south express railway project, security and defence cooperation.

In related news, the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute last week signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear power cooperation with the Guangdong Nuclear Power Group, China. This group will help train experts and provide the latest nuclear power technologies to the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute.

Vietnam has signed cooperation agreements on nuclear power with many countries like the US, Russia, France, South Korea, India and Argentina.

PV