Vietnam and Japan are expanding strategic cooperation.
Vietnamese President Tu Lam held talks in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Sana Takaichi. The parties promised to speed up public-private partnerships in the field of critical minerals, as well as to deepen coordination in the field of security and investments.
In addition, they approved plans to accelerate Japanese-backed LNG and gas production projects, as well as promote nuclear energy development in Vietnam. All this as part of Tu Lam's four-day visit.
Japan and Vietnam raised relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership back in November 2023. Their latest joint statement puts economic security at the top of bilateral priorities. It comes amid China-related pressures, including restrictions on rare earth metal exports and isolated maritime disputes.
The talks indicate the continued focus of Hanoi and Tokyo on the resilience of the supply chain, energy infrastructure and security cooperation. Lam's visit came six months after Takaichi's trip to Vietnam.