General Secretary, President To Lam attends ceremony presenting the title Vietnam-Japan Special Ambassador
On November 10, in Tokyo, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam attended a ceremony to present the Vietnam-Japan Special Ambassador title for the 2026–2029 tenure to Sugi Ryotaro, a prominent Japanese figure who has made significant contributions to bilateral relations.
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| General Secretary, State President To Lam and Special Ambassador Vietnam - Japan Sugi Ryotaro. (Source: VNA) |
The ceremony was organised by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of General Secretary and President Lam’s official visit to Japan. At the event, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung presented the certificate of the title recognising Sugi Ryotaro as Vietnam-Japan Special Ambassador for the 2026–2029 term.
Mr. Sugi Ryotaro, born in 1944 in Hyogo Prefecture (Japan), is a renowned singer, stage actor, and historical film actor in Japan. For nearly 40 years, Mr. Sugi Ryotaro has shown great affection, dedication, and made persistent contributions to the bilateral friendship, particularly in promoting large-scale cultural exchange activities and providing practical, humanitarian support for disadvantaged children in remote areas, thereby enhancing understanding and strengthening the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Over the years, Mr. Sugi Ryotaro has been awarded the Friendship Medal; the Third-class Labour Order; Honorary Citizen of Hanoi; the Commemorative Medal for Peace and Friendship among Nations by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; and the Commemorative Medal for National Security Protection by the Ministry of Public Security. In November 2026, he was once again awarded the title of Special Ambassador Vietnam - Japan for the 2026-2029 term by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
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| Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung presents the he title of Special Ambassador Vietnam - Japan and congratulatory flowers to Mr. Sugi Ryotaro. (Source: TTXVN) |
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Sugi Ryotaro expressed his emotions and affirmed his genuine affection and love for the country and people of Vietnam. He congratulated the important achievements attained during this visit by General Secretary, State President To Lam, and affirmed his commitment to continue working closely with relevant agencies of both countries to implement practical initiatives in cultural exchange, healthcare, community health support, and assistance for disadvantaged children. He also pledged to support efforts to ensure a fair and favorable living, learning, and working environment for the Vietnamese community in Japan, contributing positively to Japan's socio-economic development and the Vietnam-Japan friendship.
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| General Secretary, President To Lam and Special Ambassador Vietnam - Japan Sugi Ryotaro with other delegates. (Source: VNA) |
Over more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, Vietnam-Japan relations have continuously developed robustly, becoming a model of comprehensive and effective cooperation in the region.
Both sides have built a solid foundation of cooperation based on mutual trust, sincerity, and respect, striving together for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world. The significant achievements in the bilateral relationship today are the result of persistent efforts and important contributions from many generations of leaders and people of both countries.
