Vietnam ’s Ambassador to Japan Doan Xuan Hung, presented his credentials to Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito on March 2.

Ambassador Hung highlighted the success of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan and said he would focus on strengthening relations during his tenure in Japan .

Crown Prince Naruhito said he believed that relations can only grow stronger in the future.

After the ceremony, Hung met with former Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio, who is President of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship League.

To mark the occasion, Ambassador Hung gave an interview to the Vietnam News Agency, during which he pledged to make every effort to enhance Vietnam and Japan ’s strategic partnership.

Hung said that the close relationship was due to the number of high profile visit’s by senior politicians and diplomats to each other’s countries.

During these visits, both nations signed a number of joint statements and agreements defining the content and scope of the strategic partnership, said the diplomat.

He pointed out that political, diplomatic, trade and economic ties between the two countries are also developing positively.

Japan is now Vietnam ’s leading ODA provider, with the country committing 1.9 billion USD last year, said Hung.

The country of the Rising-Sun is also one of Vietnam ’s leading foreign direct investors.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Japan exceeded 21 billion USD last year, up by more than 30 percent, said the ambassador.

Both countries have also cooperated closely in defence and security, culture, education, training science and technology.

As Vietnam ’s ambassador, Hung said he will make strengthening relations between the two countries a priority, especially the implementation of top-level agreements.

He also underlined the need to provide adequate and accurate information to Japanese businesses that have a special interest in Vietnam. /.