Vietnam has chosen to partner with Japan in the construction of a nuclear power plant and in mining rare earth minerals in the southeast Asian country, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan told reporters on Sunday.
"I understand that becoming partners in these two issues means that the two countries are maintaining close ties in the long term and it symbolizes the beginning of our true partnership," he said.
Developing and operating nuclear power plants abroad could help growth in Japan, the world's third-biggest nuclear power generator after the United States and France, as its electricity demand is expected to stay flat or rise slightly at best because of its aging society and industries shifting abroad.
Vietnam plans to start building its first nuclear power plant in 2014 using Russian technology.
A Vietnamese state-run newspaper reported in June that it also aimed to invite partners from countries including Japan, France and the United States to help build up to eight nuclear power plants by 2030.
Vietnam has become a focus of attention as a possible source of rare earths after China slashed export quotas and reduced shipments of the minerals, igniting international concern that it could use the exports as an economic or political lever.
China gave repeated assurances at an Asia-Pacific summit in Hanoi that ended on Saturday that it would remain a "reliable supplier" of the high-tech ores used in lasers, superconductors, computers and other electronics.
Nevertheless, Japan and other countries, including the United States, say they want to diversify their sources of supplies.
