Speaking at the conference "Meeting Japan in Danang: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership – Towards a Sustainable Future" last Thursday, Takao Nozaki, regional head of MUFG Vietnam, said that with its global financial ecosystem and extensive customer network in Japan and Asia, MUFG can serve as a bridge to connect and attract businesses and investors to the Danang International Financial Center (IFC).

MUFG is Japan's largest financial group, with operations spanning more than 50 countries and territories. In Vietnam, it has been a strategic partner of VietinBank since 2013 and expects to continue expanding cooperation through the IFC, creating more business opportunities.

Vietnam is currently the most important investment destination for Japanese companies in ASEAN, with around 2,100 member companies participating in Japanese business associations, Takao Nozaki said.

A survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) showed that 57% of Japanese firms operating in Vietnam plan to expand their businesses over the next one to two years, the highest rate in the region.

Beyond manufacturing, Japanese companies are increasingly interested in technology, digital transformation, renewable energy, and financial services. If the Danang IFC is successfully developed, it would provide an important platform for Japanese companies to pursue new investment opportunities.

Takao Nozaki added MUFG could act as a bridge during the center's development by introducing fintech companies and advanced financial technologies to Danang.

MUFG would not only accompany the Danang IFC as an investor, but also become a partner working together to build and develop this ecosystem. The group hopes the Danang IFC would gradually become one of Asia's leading financial hubs, he said, adding that MUFG would continue to support, cooperate and make positive contributions to achieving that goal.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki said that, with Vietnam's political stability and strong market growth, Danang had been selected as a pilot location for a new growth model driven by science and technology.

He stressed he believed once the plans to establish a free trade zone and an international financial center are realized, Danang's competitive advantages as an investment destination would be further strengthened.

The ambassador said Japan would mobilize both the public and private sectors to support Vietnam in promoting growth under its new development model. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has identified four priority pillars for its official development assistance (ODA) programs: innovation in science and technology, development of domestic enterprises, improvement of the investment environment, and strategic infrastructure development.

He added that Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Daiwa Corporate Investment and DCP were showing strong interest in the Danang IFC, and expressed hope that these companies would actively participate in the center's development in the future.

Vietnam is developing an IFC, located in both Ho Chi Minh City and Danang.

Japan is a leading investor in Danang, with over 300 active projects and total registered capital exceeding $1.22 billion, according to Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People's Committee.

Several notable projects have contributed to transforming the city's development landscape, such as the Danang Mikazuki Japanese Resorts & Spa and the recently inaugurated Aeon Mall Danang, alongside numerous ventures in high-tech sectors, precision engineering, electrical and electronic equipment, and semiconductor components.