Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam (R) presents the third-class Labour Order to former Special Ambassador for Vietnam-Japan Sugi Ryotaro on October 30

Former Special Ambassador forVietnam-Japan Sugi Ryotaro has been honoured with the third-class Labour Order of Vietnam for his enormous contributions to the relations between the twocountries over the past 30 years.

On behalf of the President of Vietnam,Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam presented the order to Sugi Ryotaro at a ceremony in Tokyo on October 30.

In his speech, Ambassador Nam highlighted SugiRyotaro’s dedication to Vietnam-Japan relations, especially in culture, overthe past three decades.

He said when Vietnam was still in hardship, SugiRyotaro took the lead in introducing the Japanese culture, music and arts tothe Southeast Asian nation to bring the two peoples closer together, thuscreating a foundation for the extensive strategic partnership between the twonations nowadays.

The diplomat also highlighted Vietnam’sappreciation of his huge contributions to the country, as well as Vietnam-Japanconnections.

In their congratulations, former Politburomember and former Minister of Public Security of Vietnam Le Hong Anh andSecretary General of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party Toshihiro Nikaialso highly valued Sugi Ryotaro’s devotion to the two countries’ friendship.They expressed their hope that this relationship will keep flourishing in thetime to come.

Addressing the event, Sugi Ryotaro recalled hismemories of Vietnam, including his meeting with then Party General Secretary DoMuoi in the early 1990s. At that time, he told the Vietnamese leader that thetwo countries’ ties in both economy and politics remained underdeveloped, sothey should use culture to make a breakthrough for this relationship.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh sentcongratulations to Sugi Ryotaro./.VNA