Tran Ngoc Phuc, the founder of the medical equipment company, Metran, based in Japan, checks up on the ventilators. (Photo: VNA)
Tokyo (VNA) – Tran Ngoc Phuc, Chairman of theOverseas Vietnamese Association in Japan, has been awarded Japan’s Order of theRising Sun, Silver Rays.
The decoration is made in recognition of Phuc’s contributions to Japan and the relationsbetween Japan Vietnam.
Phuc, born in 1947, left Vietnam to study industrialchemistry in Tokai University, Japan, from 1968.
In 1984, 10 years after his graduation, Phuc established theMetran Co Ltd, based in Saitama prefecture’s Kawaguchi City (about 30km from thecapital city of Tokyo), to develop a high frequency oscillatory ventilator(HFO), named Hummingbird. Metran’s HFO, aiming to help increase the flow ofoxygen for premature babies, would allow for diffusion of air supply at a ratethousands of times faster than machines available at that time.
It was reported that 90 percent of Japanese hospitals andmedical facilities employed machines made by Phuc’s company. The paediatricventilator is also present at hospitals in other countries, including Germany,the UK, Switzerland and Thailand.
The story of the Vietnamese-made machine, which helped savethe lives of thousands of premature newborns in Japan, caught the attention ofthe Japanese Emperor. In July 2012, Metran received the rare honour of a visit byEmperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.
In December 2017, Metran was recognised by the Japanesegovernment as one of enterprises playing role as a drive force in the futureregional growth. Phuc’s company received research funding of more than 300,000 USDfrom automaker Suzuki and Tokyo University.
♔ In May 2017, Phuc, named Nitta Kazufuku inJapanese, was elected as chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Association inJapan for the 2017-2020 term. He has since dedicated himself to mobilisingVietnamese youth in Japan to support those struggling to adapt to the local wayof life.-VNA
Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association To Huy Rua has received the Order of the Rising Sun, the first national decoration of the Japanese government for his dedicated service.
The congress of the Association of Vietnamese in Japan took place at the Embassy of Vietnam in Tokyo on May 28, attracting representatives from Vietnamese societies in the host country, from students to businessmen.
The Vietnamese Buddhist Association in Japan held a requiem at Nisshikutsu pagoda in Tokyo on March 4 to pray for the soldiers who died to defend Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago three decades ago.
Japan’s Asia Health and Human Well-Being Initiative regards Vietnam as a country with great potential for cooperation with Japan in terms of health care, said Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in Japan Tran Ngoc Phuc.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
Tran Ngoc Phuc, the founder of the medical equipment company, Metran, based in Japan, checks up on the ventilators. (Photo: VNA) 
