During a meeting on 9/2, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his desire for more Japanese businesses to operate profitably in Vietnam. He stated that the current profit rate of Japanese enterprises is positive, but efforts must be intensified to achieve a 90% rate.

A delegation of over 30 Japanese businesses, corporations, and organizations, organized by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), is currently conducting a survey in Vietnam. Prime Minister Chinh highlighted the significant room for businesses from both countries to further promote relations across various sectors, expressing confidence that this working visit would help businesses discover more opportunities.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting with the Japanese business delegation on 9/2. *Photo: VGP*

Previously, a survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) indicated that in 2025, the profit rate of Japanese businesses operating in Vietnam reached 67,5%, the highest since 2009. This figure also surpassed the ASEAN average of 65,3%. The readiness of Japanese businesses to expand operations in the next one to two years stood at 56,9%, leading ASEAN for two consecutive years.

At the meeting, Japanese businesses reaffirmed their commitment to expanding investment and long-term cooperation in Vietnam. Keita Ishii, head of the delegation, chairman of the Japan-Mekong Economic Committee, and chairman and CEO of Itochu Group, praised Vietnam's concrete achievements in administrative reform, investment environment, human resource training, and digital transformation.

According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Vietnam aims to increase foreign investment attraction guided by: "open policies, seamless infrastructure, and smart management." He stated that Vietnam will continue to enhance labor quality and focus on sectors such as semiconductor chips, artificial intelligence (AI), climate change mitigation, and green development. The prime minister urged ministries, corporations, and general companies to consider the feedback from the Japanese side to collectively meet the set requirements.

As of 31/1, Japan has 5.722 active projects in Vietnam, with a total registered investment capital of 78,9 billion USD. Japan ranks third among 153 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. For 2025 alone, the total registered capital from Japanese businesses reached 3,7 billion USD, an increase of 6,6% compared to the same period. Japanese investors have put capital into 19 sectors, with manufacturing and processing leading with 2.051 projects (48,6 billion USD).

Last year, Vietnam-Japan trade surpassed the 50 billion USD mark for the first time, reaching over 51,43 billion USD, an 11,28% increase compared to 2024. Vietnam recorded a trade surplus with Japan of nearly 2,1 billion USD.

Phuong Dung