Japanese Prime Minister offers condolences after President Tran Dai Quang passes away

"I am deeply shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. On behalf of the Japanese government and people, I would like to send my deepest condolences to the Vietnamese government, people and the President's family," the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam today quoted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as writing in a letter to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Mr. Abe said that President Tran Dai Quang represented Vietnam in warmly welcoming the Emperor and Empress of Japan during their state visit to Vietnam last spring. The Vietnamese President also paid a state visit to Japan from late May to early June, to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"You have devoted yourself to the friendly relations between the two countries," said the Japanese Prime Minister.

Mr. Abe also expressed his respect for the Vietnamese President's successful hosting of the APEC Summit held in Da Nang in November 2017, especially his great contributions to the signing of the CPTPP Agreement at the Summit. The Japanese Prime Minister appreciated the Vietnamese President's wise leadership in building a close cooperative relationship in a wide range of fields between the two countries.

Japanese Foreign Minister Kono Taro, in a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, also expressed his condolences on the passing of President Tran Dai Quang. Mr. Kono said that the President was the head of state who led Vietnam not only in economic and social development but also in raising the country's position in the region and on the international stage.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today also sent his deepest and most sincere condolences to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam and the family of President Tran Dai Quang. "We will always cherish the fond memories of your friendship for India and your very successful visit in March this year," Modi wrote on Twitter.

President Tran Dai Quang passed away this morning at the 108 Military Central Hospital after a long battle with a serious illness. He was born in 1956 in Quang Thien Commune, Kim Son District, Ninh Binh Province. He was a member of the 10th Party Central Committee; a member of the 11th and 12th Politburo, and served as Minister of Public Security before being elected President in April 2016.