Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang received visiting Vietnam-Japanand Japan-Vietnam Special Ambassador Ryotaro Sugi in Hanoi on September 6.

At the reception, the State leader noted with pleasure the strong and practicaldevelopment of the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership in all fields,with increased exchanges and political trust between high-ranking leaders.

Visits by and meetings between the two countries’ high-ranking leaders,including the State visit to Vietnam by the Japanese Emperor and Empress inMarch 2017 and the State visit to Japan by President Quang and his spouse fromMay 29 to June 2, have opened up a new development stage for the Vietnam-Japanrelationship in a more comprehensive and pragmatic manner.

As 2018 marks the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, thetwo nations have been organised a wide range of significant activities, contributingto fostering the political understanding and trust, economic cooperation, andpeople-to-people exchange between Vietnam and Japan, President Quang said.

He spoke highly of the ambassador’s positive contributions to the bilateral relationsover the past over 30 years via meaningful activities, especially those in thefields of culture, arts and people-to-people exchange.

Ryotaro Sugi’s activities have actively contributed to enhancing mutual understandingabout the people and culture of Vietnam and Japan, creating a firm foundationfor consolidating the friendship and collaboration between the Vietnamese andJapanese people, he said.

President Quang wished that the ambassador will have more practical initiativesand activities to foster the extensive strategic partnership between the twonations, especially in culture, arts, people-to-people exchange, andlocality-to-locality cooperation, as well as promote the image of Vietnam in Japan.

He asked Ryotaro Sugi to support the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan in boosting bilateralcooperation in fields of both countries’ strength like agriculture, labour andhealth.

As the ambassador will work with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to organisethe Vietnam-Japan Music Festival 2018 in celebration of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties on September 9, the Presidentexpressed his belief that the programme will be a success, thus bolstering thecollaboration and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

For his part, Ryotaro Sugi said he is delighted at the development ofJapan-Vietnam relations over the past time, especially after the State visit toVietnam by the Japanese Emperor and Empress and the State visit to Japan byPresident Quang and his spouse.

He said he has received close coordination from the Ministry of Culture, Sportsand Tourism and the Vietnam Television in organising the Vietnam-Japan MusicFestival 2018. He affirmed that he will do his utmost to foster theJapan-Vietnam relationship.-VNA