On the afternoon of April 28, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru co-chaired the Vietnam-Japan Forum on Cooperation in Strategic Industries, High Technology, Green Transition, and Semiconductors. The forum was attended by many representatives from ministries, agencies, and enterprises of both countries.

Speaking at the forum, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang stated that "Japan has always been a special, strategic, and reliable partner of Vietnam.

With total FDI of over USD 78 billion and maintaining its position as Vietnam’s largest ODA donor, Japan has significantly contributed to modernizing infrastructure, transferring technology, developing human resources, and enhancing Vietnam's manufacturing and high-tech capabilities."

He emphasized that the forum concretizes efforts to facilitate discussions and share directions and cooperation opportunities in strategic sectors.

It also serves to introduce notable initiatives and cooperation models while recording new commitments through memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between organizations and enterprises from both sides, aiming to establish an innovation and high-tech cooperation ecosystem between Vietnam and Japan.

Under the witness of the two prime ministers, Vietnamese and Japanese organizations and enterprises signed MOUs to promote cooperation in innovation, strategic industries, high technology, green transition, and semiconductors.

The National Innovation Center (NIC) and Hiroshima University, for instance, will collaborate in developing human resources for the semiconductor industry and technology transfer in strategic sectors.

Representatives from Japanese companies in electronics, semiconductors, and healthcare highlighted the support they have received from the authorities of both countries and shared updates on new projects in Vietnam.

These projects include a polysilicon production plant in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, biochar production from agricultural waste, and an R&D center focusing on software and digital transformation solutions for supply chain management.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese businesses expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation with Japanese enterprises, particularly in science and technology, human resource training, and technology transfer. Business leaders reaffirmed their commitment to contributing to the realization of the strategic development vision between the two countries.

Speaking at the forum, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru affirmed: "Vietnam and Japan - two countries with tightly linked supply chains - have a great opportunity to cooperate in upgrading their industrial capabilities. We are collaborating with the National Innovation Center to connect startups with top enterprises from both countries, achieving very positive initial results."

"Recently, we have been working closely with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the NIC in addressing social issues, enhancing innovation capacity, and boosting Vietnam’s industrial competitiveness. I firmly believe that the potential for Vietnam-Japan cooperation is boundless. We hope to continue promoting public-private cooperation and building an even stronger relationship that benefits both nations," Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru added.

Highlighting the achievements of bilateral efforts, he stressed that Japan would further strengthen human resource exchanges in advanced science and technology, welcome about 250 doctoral researchers, support Vietnam in carbon reduction in industrial parks, and establish a polysilicon production plant.

Responding to the heartfelt remarks from Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and business leaders, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that after 50 years of nurturing and building, Vietnam-Japan relations have developed robustly and substantially, becoming a model of a special, beautiful relationship characterized by high political trust, growing common interests, comprehensive cooperation, and deep strategic trust.

Recalling Japan’s important role as an economic partner, major ODA provider, and labor and investment partner, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the Japanese government to continue accompanying and enhancing support through development cooperation programs (ODA), especially in critical sectors such as strategic industries, high technology, digital transformation, green transition, innovation, human resource training, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and the establishment of an international financial center.

He also encouraged Japanese enterprises to expand investment in these strategic areas, contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s national competitiveness and deeper integration into global value chains.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to creating a favorable, transparent, and stable investment environment and actively supporting Japanese enterprises during the implementation of strategic investment projects. He specifically requested Japan’s continued support for the NIC to reinforce its role as the nucleus of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.

Emphasizing the spirit of "Sincerity - Affection - Trust - Mutual benefit" in bilateral relations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed confidence that both sides will realize strategic cooperation orientations and long-term visions to develop high-tech industries, green transition, and digital transformation.

Through these efforts, they will "contribute to rapid and sustainable development for all people and enterprises and advance cooperation into deeper, more substantive, and effective development, achieving healthy, mutually beneficial, and win-win outcomes."

Du Lam