Atthe ceremony to confer the title in Tokyo on December 12, charged’affaires a.i of the Vietnamese Embassy Nguyen Phuong Hong highlightedthe work done by the former Japanese PM and the Special Ambassador tofoster the friendship, people-to-people and cultural exchanges betweenthe two nations.
Hanoi People’s Council Vice Chairwoman Vu ThiHai also praised the two Japanese for their charitable activities inHanoi, adding that they also played a vital role in introducing Japaneseculture to Vietnamese people.
Former PM Murayama, currentlyChairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship and Peace Council, said he ishonoured to receive the title, affirming that he will do more to helpHanoi’s development in the future.
Murayama was the firstJapanese PM to officially visit Vietnam, opening a new developmentperiod in bilateral relations, thus paving the way for Japanese firms toinvest in Vietnam.
Special Ambassador Ryotaro said the title has motivated him to further contribute to the Vietnam-Japan relations.-VNA