Science, technology, training a new pillar in Vietnam-Japan relations

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have designated cooperation in science, technology, digital transformation, and high-quality human resources development as a new pillar of the Vietnam-Japan relationship.

This agreement was reached during their talks in Hanoi on Monday, as part of Prime Minister Ishiba's three-day official visit to Vietnam.

The two leaders exchanged views and reached a broad consensus to elevate multifaceted bilateral cooperation to new heights.
Advancing science, technology, manpower training

Building on shared development strategies in science, technology, and digital transformation, the two prime ministers agreed to establish cooperation in these areas, along with innovation and high-quality human resource training, as a new pillar of bilateral ties.

Specifically, the two nations will enhance cooperation in the digital economy, semiconductors, quantum technology, nuclear energy, information technology, artificial intelligence, and green transition.

Both sides plan to improve cooperation mechanisms by convening the fifth session of the Joint Committee on Science and Technology in 2026 and exploring a new public-private partnership framework.

PM Chinh proposed Japan's continued support in training high-quality human resources and strengthening ties between research institutions, academia, and enterprises of both countries.

He also suggested increasing scholarships for Vietnamese students and researchers and supporting the community of 70 Vietnamese enterprises and 5,000 IT engineers in participating in Japan's IT supply chains and digital transformation.

PM Ishiba announced support for joint research projects and a plan to train 250 Vietnamese PhD students in semiconductors under the Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation Cooperation Project (NEXUS).

He expressed Japan’s intention to develop 15 green energy transition projects worth over US$20 billion as part of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative.
Deepening other ties

The two leaders consented to deepen economic cooperation, recognizing it as the core pillar of the relationship between Vietnam and Japan.

They also agreed to enhance effective investment and trade ties and to strengthen collaboration in new-generation official development assistance (ODA) for strategic infrastructure projects.

PM Ishiba affirmed that Japan will continue supporting Vietnam’s socio-economic development, building an independent and self-reliant economy, promoting industrialization and modernization, and boosting scientific and technological advancement.

He also pledged to further open the Japanese market to Vietnamese goods.

PM Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to improving the investment and business environment to facilitate foreign investors, including those from Japan.

In agriculture, both sides agreed to promote high-tech agricultural cooperation alongside ensuring food security, and to sign the Medium- and Long-Term Vision on Agricultural Cooperation for the 2025-30 period within 2025.

To support the Vietnamese community in Japan, both countries will begin negotiations on the Vietnam-Japan Social Insurance Agreement in 2025, while advancing a memorandum of understanding on labor cooperation under Japan’s Employment for Skill Development Program.

The two sides were also committed to strengthening substantive defense and security cooperation, while simplifying procedures and expanding visa issuance for Vietnamese citizens entering Japan.
Cooperation in regional, global issues

Agreeing to enhance coordination on regional and international matters, the two PMs reaffirmed their commitment to close collaboration within multilateral mechanisms, including ASEAN, the Greater Mekong Subregion, and the United Nations (UN).

They emphasized the importance of maintaining an international order and a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based trading system, grounded in the fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter.

PM Ishiba expressed Japan's strong support for Vietnam's successful hosting of the APEC Summit in 2027 and said Japan is actively considering sending a government representative to attend the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, scheduled to take place in Hanoi this year.

Following their talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents signed between various ministries and agencies of both countries.

They also held a joint press briefing to announce key outcomes of their meeting and later launched a joint communique outlining the agreements reached.

Vinh Tho / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/04/30-11:39)