National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong has praised the contributions of  outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Mitsuo Sakaba to the enhancement of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

While receiving the ambassador in Hanoi on Sept. 14, Trong said during his term of office, Sakaba helped foster exchanges and bilateral cooperation in all fields, from politics to economy, trade, investment, culture and education.

Trong said the two countries agreed to elevate their relationship to the level of strategic partnership, and Japan is now an important partner of Vietnam in terms of direct investment, trade and provision of official development assistance (ODA).

The friendship exchanges, cooperation and sharing of experiences between the two parliaments have also been strengthened, he added.

The legislator said he hoped that in whatever position, the diplomat would contribute further to promoting Vietnam-Japan relations for mutual benefit and development.

Sakaba said Japan always considers Vietnam an important partner and wishes to continue cooperating with the Southeast Asian country.

He noted with pleasure that the relationship between the two legislative bodies has developed dynamically, helping to deepen the multifaceted cooperation between Japan and Vietnam.

The same day, First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee Vo Van Thuong presented a “For the Young Generation” insignia to Ambassador Sakaba.

Thuong thanked the diplomat for his valuable support and assistance to the development of friendly relations between Vietnamese and Japanese youth.

The ambassador said the youth have played an important role in preserving bilateral relations, which, he hoped, would further develop in the years to come./.