The Department of Foreign Market Development under Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan, has organized a seminar in Tokyo to disseminate information on Japanese market standards for agricultural and seafood products.  

The event brought together nearly 80 participants, including representatives of the Department of Foreign Market Development, the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan, leaders of the Departments of Industry and Trade of Bac Ninh and Tay Ninh provinces, as well as representatives of Japanese and Vietnamese business associations and enterprises.

As the global economy continues to face mounting challenges stemming from geopolitical uncertainties and market volatility, strengthening ties between Vietnam and Japan is of particular importance. Enhanced cooperation can help reinforce supply chains, improve economic resilience, and enable both countries to capitalize on opportunities arising from digital transformation, e-commerce expansion, and the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains.

The seminar provided Japanese and Vietnamese businesses with a comprehensive overview through presentations on Vietnam’s development orientations, policy directions, and socio-economic situation in the current context, as well as insights into Japanese standards and requirements for imported agricultural and seafood products. The event also offered practical solutions to support the further development of trade, investment and business cooperation between enterprises of the two countries.

Speaking at the seminar, Nguyen Duy Kien, representative of the Department of Foreign Market Development, said that 2026 continues to mark an important milestone in Vietnam - Japan relations as both countries deepen the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World, established in 2023.

Over the past five decades, Vietnam - Japan relations have continued to flourish on the foundations of mutual trust, mutual respect and shared interests. In particular, the official visit to Vietnam by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in early May this year has generated fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

In addition to presentations on Vietnam’s economic outlook, newly introduced policies and Japan’s import standards for agricultural and seafood products, the seminar also explored emerging trends in cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises.

One of the key topics that attracted considerable attention was “M&A Trends in Vietnam - Opportunities for Japanese Enterprises,” presented by representatives of ONE-VALUE. The presentation highlighted mergers and acquisitions as a strategic form of cooperation that can help Japanese businesses gain access to the Vietnamese market while enabling Vietnamese enterprises to strengthen their capabilities in technology, management, capital, human resources, and international networks.

At the seminar, Nguyen Van Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Bac Ninh Province, and Chau Thanh Long, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Tay Ninh Province, introduced the development potential, competitive advantages, and strategic orientations of their respective localities following provincial mergers.

Through the event, Vietnamese localities and businesses reaffirmed their proactive efforts to engage with the Japanese market, promote their production capabilities, showcase their investment environment and identify suitable business partners. At the same time, the participation of Japanese agencies, associations and enterprises reflected a continued interest in exploring cooperation opportunities with Vietnam in the fields of trade, investment, manufacturing, distribution, and value chain development.

The seminar on Japanese market standards for agricultural and seafood products formed part of a broader trade promotion programme in Japan. It served as a practical platform to strengthen dialogue between the business communities of the two countries, support Vietnamese enterprises in expanding export markets, attract investment cooperation, and enhance their participation in regional and global supply chains.

At the conclusion of the programme, Japanese and Vietnamese enterprises engaged in direct business networking activities, exchanging information on products and business sectors while exploring opportunities for trade, import-export cooperation, and broader commercial partnerships.