(VOVworld)-The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan has held a ceremony to grant state certificates of merit and orders to Japanese friends in recognition their efforts to develop bilateral ties. This is part of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Speaking at the event on Saturday, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh praised the contributions by Japanese parliamentarians who have actively cooperated with the embassy in organizing the Vietnam festival in Japan for the past 6 years, turning it into a popular event for Japanese people and local Vietnamese community. Parliamentarians Matsuda Iwao, Yochiro Aoyagi and Monk Yoshimizu Daichi were honored on this occasion.