Japan to support Việt Nam in 'rising era' aspirations: Ambassador

Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam Ito Naoki. — VNS Photo Trọng Kiên

Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam Ito Naoki made the statement during the sit-down with local media on the progress and future prospects of the bilateral ties on the first anniversary of Việt Nam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World (November 27, 2023-24).

Despite political changes in leadership in both Japan and Việt Nam over the past year, high-level dialogues and exchanges have continued to materialise the partnership, the ambassador noted.

Japan's new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, held talks with Việt Nam's Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Laos in October, with Việt Nam's new President Lương Cường while at the APEC Summit and with PM Chính again at the G20 Summit.

Earlier, in September, former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held online talks with General Secretary Tô Lâm.

"From the end of this year to the next, I expect further bilateral high-level exchanges," he said.

The Japanese diplomat believes that Việt Nam, in its rising era under the leadership of General Secretary Tô Lâm, will be "a wonderful chance to further the cooperative, friendly partnership" between the two countries.

General Secretary Lâm has articulated a vision of greater international engagement, he noted, adding that this aligns with Japan's shared commitment to deepening cooperation in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and ASEAN.

"Next year, Japan and Việt Nam will co-chair the Mekong-Japan Cooperation Framework. With Việt Nam's active role and Japan’s support, we expect substantial achievements in the Mekong region."

Japan is also focusing on supporting Việt Nam's three strategic infrastructure goals: urban rail and transportation, energy and digital infrastructure.

"As Việt Nam transitions into a new era, Japan stands ready to accompany and support its growth and industrialisation goals, particularly in areas like digital transformation, green growth, semiconductors and high-quality human resource development," he said.

Cooperation amplified across many fields

Over the past year, the Japan-Việt Nam partnership has heightened across many fields, including economy, trade, investment, defence and people-to-people exchanges.

In March 2024, Japan and Việt Nam launched the 'Japan-Việt Nam Joint Initiative for a New Era'. The two sides agreed to focus on five areas: energy, innovation, strengthening supply chains (including supporting industries), high-quality human resource development and improving the business and investment environment.

The Japanese ambassador remarked that in the semiconductor sector, Japanese companies have shown increasing interest in Việt Nam.

In August 2024, Tokuyama Corporation established a subsidiary in Việt Nam to produce and sell polysilicon for semiconductors. This project has been supported by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under its 'Co-Creation with the Global South' initiative, showing the Japanese Government's active backing.

Furthermore, in October, RORZE ROBOTECH decided to build a new factory in the northern port city of Hải Phòng, expanding its production of robots to be used in semiconductor manufacturing.

In the case of education and training, Japan and Việt Nam have collaborated to establish the Việt Nam-Japan University in Hoà Lạc, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in October this year.

"The first cohort of students graduated in July. The university is now preparing a curriculum on semiconductors to enable Vietnamese students to study this field in the future," Ito noted.

"Energy cooperation also saw progress, such as the LNG-based power plant project in Thái Bình, licensed in March and the Block B gas field project, which received its final investment decision this spring and has begun taking concrete steps."

Việt Nam's retail sector has grown alongside its expanding economy, attracting Japanese companies. Aeon Mall opened its seventh shopping complex in Huế in September.

Uniqlo, a popular Japanese clothing brand, opened its 10th store in HCM City in January, bringing the total number of stores in Việt Nam to 23.

Việt Nam's first metro system in HCM City (Bến Thành-Suối Tiên line), developed with Japan's JICA and Japanese companies, will begin operation this December.

"Despite previous delays, this metro system will symbolise our two countries' cooperation in urban transportation. I believe this project will significantly improve life for residents in HCM City," he said.

For Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects and digital transformation, just this month, Japan and Việt Nam signed an agreement to provide IT equipment to upgrade Việt Nam's national population database centre, operated by the Ministry of Public Security.

"This project will enhance Việt Nam's digital transformation efforts and represents meaningful support in the field of digital governance," he noted.

Speaking on the cooperation in security and maritime safety, the ambassador noted that Japan's Self-Defence Forces have provided anti-corrosion technology and transportation vehicles to Việt Nam's military.

The construction of six patrol ships for the Việt Nam Coast Guard is ongoing, and Japan and Việt Nam are also discussing cooperation activities within Japan's Official Security Assistance (OSA), a security counterpart programme to socio-development-focused OD that will provide equipment and supplies as well as assistance for infrastructure development to Japan's partner countries with a view to strengthening their security and deterrence capabilities.

According to the Japanese diplomat, the number of Vietnamese residents in Japan has exceeded 600,000 this year, making the country a preferred destination for Vietnamese workers. To maintain this status, Japan is working to improve mechanisms and the environment to attract young Vietnamese talent.

In 2024, Japan introduced specific skill exams in Việt Nam in nursing care, agriculture, automotive maintenance, hospitality and construction. Additional exams for two new sectors -- food service and catering, and food and beverage production -- are in the works.

Vietnamese workers account for half of all foreign skilled and technical interns in Japan, he said.

"This labour force is invaluable to Japan’s economy and society. We are working with Vietnamese agencies, Japanese enterprises, and the Vietnamese government to improve the well-being of these workers and increase their numbers," the ambassador told the media.

In climate change, Japan is leveraging its technology and financial resources to assist Việt Nam in achieving its carbon-neutral goal by 2050.