Former Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio returned to his country last weekend after finishing his four-year tenure in the Southeast Asian nation, bringing along multiple precious memories of Vietnam and its people and leaving a rush of emotions.

Showing his feeling at a meeting with his Vietnamese friends and partners in Hanoi on April 23, he said that to him, his four-year tenure in Vietnam was an extremely special period.

He learned many useful and meaningful lessons over his time in office in the country, shared Yamada, who has worked as a diplomat for 41 years.

Beginning his mission in Vietnam in April 2020, the Japanese ambassador experienced two separate stages.

During the first two-year period, he was occupied with the fight against COVID-19, but he harvested a great impression of the Vietnam - Japan relationship. The two nations always stood side by side to battle the pandemic.

In particular, when Japan faced a shortage of face masks, the Southeast Asian nation proactively presented the former with hundreds of thousands of masks to help Japan ride out the hardship.

On the other hand, Japan gave over seven million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam at the peak of the disease.

The mutual support between the two countries deeply impressed the Japanese ambassador.

It was the hardship that woke him up with a saying, 'A friend in need is a friend indeed,’ he said at the meeting.

He witnessed a new chapter of the Vietnam - Japan partnership during the second half of his tenure.

Specifically, the two nations celebrated 50 years of their diplomatic ties in 2023.

Over 500 activities and cultural programs were rolled out in the two countries to mark the key milestone.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the visit by Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko to Vietnam in September last year, followed by an official visit to Japan by the Vietnamese state president two months later.

During the top Vietnamese official’s Japan visit, the two nations issued a joint statement on the elevation of their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio affirmed that Japan would keep supporting Vietnam’s industrialization, modernization, and development of an independent and self-reliant economy, as well as Hanoi's important role in the diversification of Tokyo’s supply chains.

“It was an important year, and I was honored to witness such historic moments of the two nations’ relationship, while seeing huge potential for their ties in the future,” said Yamada.

Before departing Vietnam to return to his homeland, the Japanese diplomat met with leaders of the Vietnamese Party Central Committee, the state, the government, and several top officials.

During his meetings with top Vietnamese officials, the Japanese diplomat was lauded for his efforts in fostering the Vietnam - Japan partnership during his tenure.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asserted that the outcome from the bilateral ties was partially thanks to the contribution of the Japanese ambassador and all officials at the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam.

Yamada was awarded Vietnam’s Friendship Medal for his great contributions.

Moreover, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son presented the 'For the Cause of Vietnam's Foreign Affairs' insignia to Yamada in recognition of his contributions to Vietnam - Japan diplomatic relations.

The former Japanese ambassador promised to continue contributing to strengthening the two nations’ ties after coming back to his country.

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