More than 1,000 Vietnamese and Japanese athletes run for traffic safety in Hanoi

• Police forces urged to ensure safety for Kizuna Ekiden race 2019
• Vietnam and Japan holds Kizuna Ekiden 2018 for friendship and solidarity
• Lao Cai police equip students in Muong Khuong with traffic safety regulations

The opening ceremony, taking place at Ly Thai To square on the morning of November 17, saw the participation of Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Minister of Public Security; Mr. Umeda Kunio, Japan’s Ambassador to Vietnam; Mr. Kuroiwa Yuji, Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan; and other distinguished guests.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Thanh speaks at the event.

This year’s race drew the participation of 250 running teams with more than 1,000 athletes, who are police officers of Vietnam and Japan, diplomats from Japan’s Embassy in Vietnam, agencies, businesses, people of the two countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Thanh emphasized that the bilateral relations and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan have developed comprehensively and effectively in all areas in recent time.

Athletes of the Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security.

He also highlighted the Kizuna Ekiden 2019 as a meaningful event to promote cultural exchange, solidarity, mutual understanding and friendship between the Vietnamese Public Security Forces and Japanese police force as well as between businesses and people of the two countries.

The event also aimed to improve local people’s awareness of traffic safety and to protect children from traffic accidents.

Ekiden is a form of a long-distance running relay event originating from Japan, while the word "Kizuna" means connection between people in the Japanese language.

According to the race’s regulations, runners are divided into groups of four and each will complete a 3.5 kilometer relay race. During the relay event, members of a team pass each other a ribbon called "Tasuki", representing unity and friendship.