Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae addressed the future of the Vietnam - Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the afternoon of 2/5. During her speech at Vietnam National University, she also unveiled important updates to Japan's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision (FOIP)" initiative, according to TTXVN.

Opening her speech, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae recalled her visit to Vietnam six years ago. She expressed a desire to revisit Hoi An, home to the Chua Cau (Nihonbashi) relic, which completed restoration two years ago with Japan's cooperation. This, according to the Japanese Prime Minister, exemplifies over 400 years of dynamic trade between the two nations across free seas.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae noted Vietnam's transformation from primarily producing clothing and textiles a decade ago to becoming a manufacturing hub for numerous global companies. Many electronic devices produced in Vietnam now integrate Japan's advanced technology into their core components.

She emphasized the Vietnamese manufacturing industry's inextricable link with the Japanese economy. In the three Thang Long Industrial Parks near Hanoi alone, 205 Japanese companies operate, providing jobs for approximately 100,000 people. Companies like Canon source components from Vietnam, Japan, and other parts of Asia to produce up to one-fourth of global printers in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae stated that Vietnam - Japan cooperation has extended into space. She commended the Vietnam Space Center, developed with Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans from the Japanese government, which was inaugurated in March at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park. Japan is also assisting Vietnam in manufacturing the Earth observation satellite, LOTUSat-1, to aid disaster prediction and climate change response.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae delivered a policy speech at Vietnam National University on the afternoon of 2/5. Photo: Giang Huy

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae delivered a policy speech at Vietnam National University on the afternoon of 2/5. Photo: Giang Huy

In the high-tech sector, both nations are boosting semiconductor cooperation. The launch of a semiconductor chip technology engineer program at Vietnam - Japan University in 2025 is expected to strengthen Japan's semiconductor supply chain and contribute to Vietnam's industrial advancement.

According to the Japanese leader, Japan seeks to foster stronger public-private cooperation with Vietnam in the exploitation and development of critical mineral supply chains.

Prime Minister Takaichi announced "FOIP updates" focusing on three priority areas: building economic infrastructure for the artificial intelligence (AI) and data era, and strengthening energy and material supply chains; creating economic growth opportunities through public-private cooperation and rule-sharing; and enhancing security cooperation to ensure regional peace and stability.

Regarding energy security, Prime Minister Takaichi stated she recently convened an urgent online conference with Asian leaders and announced the "Partnership for Energy and Resource Resilience in Asia" (POWERR ASIA) initiative. She also expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's support for this initiative.

Japan will provide financial support, with the first project assisting in crude oil procurement for the Nghi Son refinery. In the medium and long term, the two sides will establish a regional oil reserve system and develop new energy sources such as biofuels, new-generation solar power, nuclear power, and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Concluding her speech, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae expressed her hope for resilient nations to cooperate in building a "free and open" Indo-Pacific region as a foundation for peace and prosperity.

Ngoc Anh