Bridges: How would you describe the current relationship between Vietnam and Japan?
Hirabayashi: The relationship between Vietnam and Japan continues to stand as a model of trust, mutual respect, and strategic partnership. Over the years, it has evolved into a truly comprehensive and multidimensional cooperation.
While traditionally centered on trade, investment, and official development assistance, the relationship is now expanding into new frontiers—including regional and local government partnerships, labor mobility, and innovation-driven collaboration.
According to JETRO, Japan’s subnational interest in Vietnam has grown significantly. This reflects broader socio-economic shifts, such as labor shortages in Japan, the need to support local industries’ overseas expansion, promote regional exports like agricultural and marine products, attract foreign visitors, and revitalize local economies. These dynamics have encouraged deeper engagement between Vietnamese partners and Japanese prefectures, cities, and SMEs.
Many Japanese enterprises are investing in Vietnam not only to access affordable and skilled labor, but also to serve its growing domestic market. At the same time, the number of Vietnamese living and working in Japan—particularly as students, technical trainees, and highly skilled professionals—is increasing rapidly, extending well beyond the major metropolitan areas into local communities.
It is also important to acknowledge that Vietnam’s international partnerships are diversifying. Nonetheless, Japan remains a uniquely trusted and long-standing partner, with both countries bound by historical friendship, strong political commitment, and people-to-people goodwill. Today, Vietnam and Japan are co-creating innovative solutions for shared regional and global challenges—from digital transformation and green growth to resilient supply chains and inclusive, sustainable development.
What opportunities does Expo 2025 offer for strengthening ties between Vietnam and Japan?
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai presents a powerful platform to showcase the vibrancy of Vietnam–Japan cooperation to the world. The Vietnam Pavilion, though modest in size, leaves a deep impression through its innovative fusion of tradition and modern technology, centered on the theme of sustainability. Its immersive virtual experience, where visitors can explore Vietnam’s culture, history, and development, is a uniquely compelling initiative rarely seen elsewhere.
Expo 2025 offers an exceptional opportunity to highlight Vietnam’s innovation, cultural richness, and economic dynamism, while deepening ties with Japanese businesses, investors, and the public. It can catalyze new partnerships in key areas such as the digital economy, green infrastructure, wellness, and tourism.
The Expo theme— “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”—aligns closely with both countries’ shared aspirations to build a human-centered, inclusive, and sustainable future. I encourage all Vietnamese and Japanese stakeholders to see Expo 2025 not merely as a global event, but as a springboard for transformative and future-oriented collaboration.
How can the ASEAN-Japan Center support collaboration between Vietnam and Japan moving forward?
The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) stands ready to serve as a strategic bridge between Vietnam and Japan, supporting deeper collaboration in trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. As a small but agile international organization, the AJC brings distinctive value to this partnership.
The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) stands ready to serve as a strategic bridge between Vietnam and Japan, supporting deeper collaboration in trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.
Kunihiko Hirabayashi, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC)
We act as a regional bridge builder and catalyst, accelerating cooperation through inclusive platforms that bring together governments, businesses, academia, and youth. We serve as a connector, linking people, ideas, and resources across sectors and generations. As a curator of good practices, we shine a light on local innovation—especially in areas like sustainable tourism, women-led MSMEs, and youth entrepreneurship. And as a communicator, we translate complex issues into compelling narratives that inspire change.
Going forward, we will continue to amplify Vietnam’s strengths to Japanese stakeholders—highlighting opportunities for and the value for working with growth minded MSMEs, startups, women entrepreneurs, and young talent.
We will also help both sides navigate rule-based, free and open trade agreements, promote sustainable and responsible tourism, and accelerate inclusive digital and green transformation.
AJC is people-focused and trusted. We bring ASEAN and Japan together not just across nations, but across generations and ideas—for a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future.
