Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has hailed the contributions made by former Prime Minister of Japan Hatoyama Yukio to the consolidation of the Vietnam-Japan relationship.

During their December 15 meeting in Tokyo as part of PM Dung’s three-day visit to Japan, the Vietnamese leader congratulated Hatoyama Yukio on receiving the Friendship Order, the noblest award that Vietnam presents to a foreigner.

PM Dung said he hopes former PM Hatoyama Yukio will continue his efforts to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership in a practical and effective manner.

For his part, the former Japanese PM affirmed that he will do his utmost to further the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in vocational training.

The two sides also expressed their delight at the growing ties, especially after the two countries accelerated their ties to a strategic partnership.

The same day, PM Dung had a meeting with Tsuneo Kita, President of Nikkei Inc., during which he lauded the newspaper’s contributions to the strengthening of friendship between the two countries by promptly and accurately providing information about Vietnam and bilateral cooperation to Japanese people.

Tsuneo Kita spoke highly of economic cooperation potential between Vietnam and Japan .

He also affirmed the newspaper’s wish to make further contributions to the development of the Vietnam-Japan ties.-VNA