On the morning of May 2, following official talks, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with the press to announce the outcomes of their discussions.

Both leaders agreed on major directions to elevate the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into a new phase marked by tangible results.

First, the two sides agreed to further strengthen political trust by expanding substantive cooperation in defense, security, and diplomacy.

Second, both countries committed to enhancing economic cooperation, including in economic security, energy security, and sustainable agriculture.

They also agreed on measures to soon raise Japanese investment in Vietnam to US$5 billion annually, while aiming to bring bilateral trade to US$60 billion by 2030.

The two sides encouraged Japanese businesses to invest in high-tech projects associated with technology transfer, while supporting Vietnamese enterprises to invest and operate in Japan and participate in Japanese government-led investment initiatives.

They also pledged to promote market access for agricultural products, starting with Vietnamese green-skinned pomelos and Japanese grapes. At the same time, both countries will strengthen ODA cooperation and work together to ensure economic, energy, and food security, as well as diversify supply chains.

Third, both sides committed to advancing cooperation in science and technology, green and digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. Priority will be given to developing high-quality human resources and promoting joint research projects in fields such as semiconductors, AI, and space technology.

Vietnam and Japan also agreed to soon implement cooperative projects under the “Partnership for Energy and Resource Resilience in Asia” (POWERR ASIA), aimed at supporting Asian countries in achieving energy self-reliance. Japan will assist in securing crude oil supply for the Nghi Son Refinery. According to the Japanese Prime Minister, this is the first project under the POWERR ASIA initiative, which she recently launched within the AZEC framework.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung welcomed the joint funding of 15 Vietnam-Japan semiconductor research projects under the NEXUS program, an initiative by Japan’s science and technology agency to build international research networks, promote knowledge co-creation, and strengthen Japan’s scientific and technological influence in the region.

Fourth, both sides pledged to further strengthen people-to-people ties through cooperation in local exchanges, labor, healthcare, culture, and tourism.

Japan has included Vietnam among 24 attractive destinations for Japanese tourists and will continue to support and facilitate favorable conditions for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in Japan.

Fifth, both countries committed to closer coordination and mutual support at international and regional forums on issues of shared concern.

A reunion of trusted friends

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasized that the first visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi - the first female Prime Minister in Japan’s history - marks an important milestone, creating new momentum and opening up numerous opportunities for cooperation, highly welcomed by Vietnamese leaders.

“This is also a reunion of trusted friends, continuing and developing a relationship that has been nurtured for more than 13 centuries. From early religious exchanges and meaningful bonds to enduring friendships and mutual support during the pandemic, all reflect a truth: the friendship between our peoples flows steadily and powerfully, never ceasing,” Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said.

Japan has become Vietnam’s Comprehensive Strategic Partner, ranking first in ODA and labor cooperation, third in investment, and fourth in trade. In 2025, ODA cooperation increased by more than US$600 million, bilateral trade surpassed US$50 billion for the first time, and investment rose by nearly US$4 billion with close to 300 new projects.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung invited his Japanese counterpart to attend the APEC Summit in 2027 in Phu Quoc, while Vietnam will participate in GREEN EXPO 2027 in Yokohama, Japan.

For her part, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her delight at visiting Vietnam and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Vietnam, a country actively advancing reforms in a new era based on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“Vietnam, like Hanoi’s other name Thang Long - meaning ‘rising dragon’ - is developing at a remarkably impressive pace. In recent years, as a key link in global supply chains, many Japanese enterprises have expanded their investment in Vietnam. At the same time, amid increasingly complex international dynamics, Vietnam has emphasized strategic autonomy and pursued a proactive and active foreign policy,” she stated.

The two Prime Ministers also witnessed the signing of six important agreements covering space technology, information and communications, irrigation, disaster-resilient infrastructure development, climate change response, and low-carbon growth.

Strengthening cooperation with Vietnam holds significant importance for realizing and advancing Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative, which also explains the purpose of her visit.

“Together with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, we will strive to elevate Japan-Vietnam relations to a new height,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi affirmed.

Tran Thuong