Former PM honoured with Japanese order

The Japanese State on Nov. 3 decided to bestow "Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun", the highest order that Japan bestows to former foreign Prime Ministers, to the former Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai...

Former Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

The Japanese State on Nov. 3 decided to bestow "Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun", the highest order that Japan bestows to former foreign Prime Ministers, to the former Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

According to the Japanese embassy, Japan's decision to bestow this order on former PM Phan Van Khai is to recognise his contribution in strengthening the relationship between Viet Nam and Japan in various fields.

During the past 10 years, in his position as the Prime Minister, Khai focused on the Japan-Viet Nam relationship, considering Japan as a "strategic partnership based on long-term stability and reliability".

He also actively helped to increase the exchange visits between the governments' leaders of the two countries and signed the Japan-Viet Nam Agreement for Liberalisation, Promotion and Protection of Investment, and implemented the Japan-Viet Nam Joint Initiative.

The Japanese Emperor will bestow the order on former PM Khai in a ceremony to be held at the Japanese Imperial Palace on Nov. 7.