Social Affairs
Deputy Transport Minister in Japan to discuss alleged bribery controversy
A working group from Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong visited Tokyo from March 25-28 to work with Japanese authorities investigating alleged bribery in a major Hanoi railway project.
According to a press release by the Ministry of Transport on March 29, the team worked with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to look into the allegations, first published by media in Japan.
Deputy Minister Dong briefed the Japanese officials on the response of the Vietnamese side after receiving the information. He asked Japanese authorities to investigate the charges and share news related to their conclusions.
Highlighting the Vietnamese side’s prompt, positive and drastic response, the Japanese side said the case has been transferred to the judicial forces of Japan, asking for close cooperation from Vietnamese ministries and sectors to reach a common voice on information to release to the media.
They also asked for coordination with the Vietnamese side to put forth strong measures to prevent corruption, bribery and unfair competition during the implementation of ODA-funded projects.
Dong also proposed that JICA consider ways to renovate its lending mechanism to strengthen competition of tenders.
He said his ministry has advised the government of Vietnam to assign the public security forces to work with the Japanese side during the investigation.
The first meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Joint Committee will also be held on April 4 in Hanoi under the co-chairmanship of a Deputy Minister of Transport and the Charge d’Affaires ad Interim at the Japanese Embassy in Hanoi .
The meeting will focus on seeking measures to prevent fraud during ODA projects, as well as the reforms of relevant policies
