Japan and Vietnam boost ties in tech, defence, and energy
Japan and Vietnam will strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and defence, according to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a meeting between Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi.
Ishiba committed to accepting around 250 Vietnamese PhD students specialising in semiconductor technology to support the development of this sector in Vietnam.
Furthermore, the leaders agreed to establish a dialogue forum at the deputy minister of foreign affairs and defence level in a 2+2 format, to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation in defence equipment and technology.
The cooperation will also include projects related to energy transformation, such as offshore wind farms.
Free trade. Vietnam "key partner" for Japan
Ishiba emphasised that Japan views Vietnam as a "key partner" in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the principles of the rule of law. The parties also expressed concern about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
The meeting took place in the context of global economic uncertainty and trade tensions between the USA and China. Ishiba assured that in connection with American tariffs, Japan is listening to the concerns of Japanese companies operating in Vietnam.
According to the original plans of U.S. President Donald Trump, products imported from Japan are to be subject to a 24% tariff, and from Vietnam, 46%.
The Japanese Prime Minister arrived in Vietnam just two weeks after a visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who called on the authorities in Hanoi to oppose "bullying" and to maintain "the stability of the global free trade system."
