PM Takaichi Sanae’s keynote speech at VNU: Vietnam–Japan expand cooperation in technology and human resource training
WVR/VNA - On the afternoon of May 2, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae visited and delivered a keynote policy speech at the Vietnam National University (VNU) - Hanoi, conveying a strong message about the future of the Vietnam–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and announcing important updates to Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Vision.
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| On the afternoon of May 2, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae visited and took photos with delegates at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. (Source: VNU) |
The event was attended by Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung; Central Committee Member and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu; Alternate Central Committee Member and VNU President Bui The Duy.
Speaking at the reception, VNU President Bui The Duy expressed his appreciation and warmly welcomed Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and the high-level Japanese delegation to visit and deliver a policy speech at VNU.
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| Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae received a warm welcome from the staff and students of Vietnam National University, Hanoi. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Director Bui The Duy emphasized that Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's visit holds special significance, reflecting the Japanese Government's interest and emphasis on educational cooperation, science and technology, and human resource development between the two countries.
This visit marks an important milestone as VNU approaches its 120th anniversary, being an academic center with a rich history and a role in connecting regional knowledge. With over 82,000 students and nearly 2,700 faculty members, including more than 600 professors and associate professors and over 1,700 PhDs, VNU is one of Vietnam's leading centers for training, research, and innovation, playing a pivotal role in guiding the higher education system and gradually asserting its position regionally and internationally.
The university also preserves historical academic values and many precious specimens gifted by the Japanese Emperor and Crown Prince, symbolizing the strong friendship between the two nations.
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| Alternate Central Committee Member and VNU President Bui The Duy speaking at the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Over the years, VNU has been a key partner with Japanese counterparts, with increasingly substantive and expanding relationships from training and research to technology transfer. VNU has had the honor of welcoming many generations of the Japanese Royal Family and government leaders, continuously strengthening trust and deepening cooperative relations. On this foundation, the Vietnam-Japan University stands as a testament to the strategic vision and effective cooperation between the two governments in developing high-quality human resources.
Currently, with a team of scientists trained in Japan and the participation of many Japanese experts, VNU is focusing on developing cutting-edge technology fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology, while promoting interdisciplinary research linked to socio-economic development needs.
VNU President Bui The Duy expressed that in the future, VNU wishes to continue expanding cooperation with Japanese partners in a substantive and effective manner, focusing on high-quality human resource training, strategic technology development, and building an innovation ecosystem. VNU is committed to enhancing its role as a knowledge bridge, contributing to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, fostering deeper development.
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| Overview of the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Speaking at the meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae expressed her joy at returning to Hanoi, recalling her visit six years ago as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications and her deep impression of the warm reception. She expressed her desire to visit Hoi An to explore the remnants of the old Japanese quarter, emphasizing that the over 400-year-old Japanese bridge is a symbol of the long-standing exchange between the two countries.
This bridge, which has withstood the passage of more than 400 years, tells the story of centuries of exchange between Japan and Vietnam, she said, adding that then-Prime Minister Abe chose Vietnam as the destination for his first overseas visit after taking office in 2013.
Commenting on Vietnam’s economic progress, Prime Minister Takaichi expressed admiration for the country’s rapid rise. Ten years ago, “Made in Vietnam” typically referred to clothing and textiles. Today, however, numerous global companies have established a presence in Vietnam, and many of the gadgets supporting youth culture are now manufactured here. Moreover, many of these electronic products incorporate cutting-edge Japanese technology in their core components.
According to her, Vietnam’s manufacturing industry has now become an indispensable supplier to the global market, forging an inseparable relationship with the Japanese economy as well.
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| Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae expressed her joy at returning to Hanoi. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
At the three Thang Long Industrial Parks near Hanoi, 205 Japanese companies operate, providing employment to around 100,000 people and serving as important hubs in the international supply chains for Japanese manufacturers. For example, Canon procures parts from Vietnam, Japan, and elsewhere in Asia, and manufactures one in every four printers worldwide in Vietnam, shipping them to markets around the globe, she added.
Looking ahead, she affirmed that bilateral collaboration has expanded into outer space. She welcomed the inauguration of the Vietnam Space Centre, developed with Japan’s official development assistance, at Hanoi’s Hoa Lạc Hi-Tech Park this March, describing it as a milestone after nearly two decades of sustained efforts since 2006. Japan is also helping Vietnam develop the Earth observation satellite LOTUSat-1 to enhance disaster forecasting and climate change response.
Last year, the "Semiconductor Chip Technology Engineer Programme" was newly established at the Vietnam-Japan University. This is expected to contribute not only to Vietnam’s industrial advancement but also to the strengthening of Japan’s semiconductor supply chain.
Japan is strengthening cooperation to make supply chains more resilient, she said, wishing to advance concrete Japan-Vietnam public-private collaboration.
Marking 10 years since the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe first introduced the (FOIP) vision in Kenya in 2016, Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed the initiative’s continued relevance, particularly as ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in 2019, which shares core values and spirits with Japan’s FOIP. She noted that last October, she and ASEAN leaders adopted a joint statement confirming the synergy between FOIP and AOIP and the promotion of further cooperation.
Against the backdrop of structural shifts in the global order, including intensifying geopolitical competition, rapid technological change and the rise of the Global South, Prime Minister Takaichi unveiled an updated FOIP framework focused on three priorities: building economic infrastructure for the age of AI and data including strengthening supply chain resilience for energy and critical materials; co-creation of economic growth opportunities through public-private collaboration and rule sharing; and enhancing cooperation in the field of security to ensure regional peace and stability.
On energy security, the Japanese leader said she recently held an emergency online summit with Asian leaders and announced the “Partnership on Wide Energy and Resource Resilience Asia”—POWERR Asia, thanking Prime Minister Hung for his participation.
As the first project under "POWERR Asia," Japan and Vietnam concurred to support through NEXI in order to procure crude oil for the Nghi Son Refinery. As a medium- to long-term structural response, the two sides will draw on Japan’s experience to build regional oil stockpiling and release systems, advance energy conservation, and using Japanese technology, develop and disseminate new energy sources such as biofuels, next-generation solar power, nuclear energy and LNG to power.
Prime Minister Takaichi also highlighted joint efforts to gain an edge in the digital era. Through the “ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Initiative for AI” announced last October, countries will develop AI models that reflect Asia’s linguistic and cultural diversity. Japan has also introduced the “the FOIP Digital Corridor” concept, aimed at advancing submarine cables, open radio access networks (Open RAN), satellite communications and all-optical networks across the Indo-Pacific.
On trade and economic cooperation, she stressed the importance of strategically expanding the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) while maintaining its high standards.
In closing, Prime Minister Takaichi emphasised that each country has its own Indo-Pacific vision, calling for stronger cooperation among resilient countries to build a “free and open” Indo-Pacific as a foundation for peace and prosperity.
She also expressed hope that her engagement with faculty members and students at Vietnam National University will inspire younger generations in both countries to reflect on the future of Japan, Vietnam and the broader Indo-Pacific, and to envision their own future within it.
