Japan, Vietnam seek deeper partnership as leaders meet

In his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to strengthen bilateral ties with Vietnam, with energy cooperation and critical minerals at the forefront.

The two leaders discussed ways to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was established in 2023 and focuses on energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and space.

“The two sides have identified economic security as a new priority area for bilateral cooperation,” Takaichi told reporters after Saturday’s meeting. he said.

“Regarding critical minerals… both sides agreed to strengthen close coordination to ensure stable supplies and strengthen supply chains.

In a joint move, Vietnam and Japan signed six agreements covering infrastructure, climate action, agriculture, technology, digitalization and space cooperation.

Japan remains one of Vietnam’s largest foreign investors, and many Japanese multinational companies operate large manufacturing facilities in the country.

Vietnam is seeking support from Japan and other countries for oil supplies as conflicts in the Middle East raise prices and disrupt supply chains.

Hung said Japan will help arrange crude oil supplies for Vietnam’s Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex under the US$10 billion Energy Asia Initiative, which aims to promote energy self-sufficiency of Asian countries.

Takaichi was also due to meet Vietnam’s Party Secretary and President To Lam on Saturday afternoon and deliver a keynote speech at Vietnam National University, marking the ten-year anniversary since former prime minister Shinzo Abe introduced Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy.

His speech is expected to highlight the autonomy and resilience of the region’s nations.