Decision to Recommission Mr. Ryotaro Sugi as Special Ambassador for Japan-Viet Nam Relationships

April 3, 2008

On April 1 (Tue), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to commission Mr. Ryotaro Sugi as a Special Ambassador for Japan-Viet Nam Relationships in light of his service and achievements during his term as a Goodwill Ambassador between Japan and Viet Nam (May 25, 2005 to March 31, 2008) in public relations work through exchanges in various fields. In the afternoon of April 3 (Thu), Mr. Masahiko Koumura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, handed the letter of commission to Mr. Sugi.
As a Special Ambassador, Mr. Sugi promoted Japan-Viet Nam exchanges on the private-sector level through charity activities for underprivileged children in Viet Nam. Last year, he greatly contributed to promoting friendship between the two peoples by deepening mutual understanding on the people-to-people level by holding the “Film Festival by Students in Viet Nam” which came from his own idea and in which he himself participated.
Especially as this year marks the 35th year of the establishment of Japan-Viet Nam diplomatic relations, large-scale cultural commemorative events are scheduled, including the “Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Music Festival” which Mr. Sugi is planning and will himself take part in. It is expected that as Special Ambassador, Mr. Sugi will promote comprehensively exchanges between Japan and Viet Nam, which is the basis of the relationship between Japan and Viet Nam.

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