Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam presents the third-class Labour Order of Viet Nam to former Special Ambassador for Viet Nam-Japan Sugi Ryotaro. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tung

On behalf of the President of Viet Nam, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam presented the order to Sugi Ryotaro at a ceremony in Tokyo on Wednesday.

In his speech, Nam highlighted Sugi Ryotaro’s dedication to Việt Nam-Japan relations, especially in culture, over the past three decades.

He said when Việt Nam was still facing hardship, Sugi Ryotaro took the lead in introducing Japanese culture, music and arts to the Southeast Asian nation to bring the two peoples closer together, thus creating a foundation for today's extensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

The diplomat also highlighted Viet Nam’s appreciation of his huge contributions to the country, as well as Viet Nam-Japan connections.

In their congratulations, former Politburo member Le Hong Anh and Secretary General of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party Toshihiro Nikai also highly valued Sugi Ryotaro’s devotion to the two countries’ friendship. They expressed their hope that this relationship will keep flourishing in the future.

Addressing the event, Sugi Ryotaro recalled his memories of Viet Nam, including his meeting with then Party General Secretary Do Muoi in the early 1990s. At that time, he told the Vietnamese leader that the two countries’ ties in both economy and politics remained underdeveloped, so they should use culture to make a breakthrough for this relationship.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh sent congratulations to Sugi Ryotaro.

Sugi Ryotaro first came to Vietnam in 1989. A few years later, determined to promote Vietnam-Japan relations, he held a charity concert at the Hanoi Opera House. This can be considered as the first concert of foreigners held in Vietnam. On this occasion, Mr. Sugi met with Party General Secretary Do Muoi, the two sides pledged to promote bilateral relations based on cultural pillars.

VNF