President of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association Nghiem Vu Khai has been presented with Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun in recognition of his contributions to strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.

Speaking at a ceremony in Hanoi on August 21, Khai expressed his honour to receive such a noble award, affirming his stronger belief in a brighter future of the bilateral ties.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Fukada said he believed that Khai will make more efforts, together with the Japanese side, to further bolster the two countries’ relations in the time to come.

Khai, who received a PhD degree in Japan, has contributed to establishing 18 branches of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in provinces and cities nationwide.

He has also translated many Japanese poems into Vietnamese as a way to introduce the East Asian country’s culture and literature to Vietnamese readers.-VNA