In a significant step toward bolstering regional stability, Japan and Vietnam have agreed to establish a new vice-ministerial level “two-plus-two” framework for foreign and defense discussions, with the first meeting slated for later this year in Japan. The announcement came during a summit in Hanoi on Monday, April 29, 2025, between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, signaling a deepening of diplomatic and security ties amid growing concerns over China’s maritime activities in the South China Sea.
A Strategic Partnership in a Contested Region
The Hanoi summit underscored the shared priorities of Japan and Vietnam in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, a vision Japan has long championed as a counterbalance to China’s expanding influence. The decision to launch a “two-plus-two” dialogue reflects a mutual commitment to address security challenges through structured, high-level engagement. This framework will enable both nations to coordinate more effectively on diplomacy and defense, areas of increasing importance given the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly over the Paracel Islands, which both Vietnam and China claim. 
During the meeting, Prime Minister Chinh emphasized Japan’s role as Vietnam’s most important long-term partner, expressing hope that Tokyo would continue to contribute to regional peace and stability. In response, Ishiba affirmed Japan’s dedication to strengthening bilateral relations and realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific. “Japan will work to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific and to strengthen Japan-Vietnam relations” said Ishiba, highlighting the strategic alignment between the two nations.
Beyond dialogue, the leaders explored practical avenues for security cooperation. Vietnam expressed interest in participating in Japan’s Official Security Assistance program, which provides defense equipment to like-minded countries. If confirmed, this would mark Vietnam’s first engagement with the initiative, potentially enhancing its military capabilities in a region fraught with tension. Additionally, both sides pledged to improve the capacity of Vietnam’s coast guard, a critical move given China’s assertive presence in disputed waters.
Economic Cooperation and Global Challenges
The summit was not limited to security matters; economic collaboration emerged as a key pillar of the discussions. Ishiba and Chinh reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open international order based on the rule of law and a multilateral trade system. This stance comes at a time when global economic policies, such as U.S. tariff measures, pose challenges to smaller economies like Vietnam, which rely heavily on export-driven growth. By aligning their economic strategies, Japan and Vietnam aim to mitigate external pressures and foster mutual prosperity.
Human resource development also featured prominently, with a focus on Vietnam’s efforts to train specialists in the semiconductor industry. Japan, a global leader in technology, is well-positioned to support Vietnam’s ambitions in this high-growth sector. The leaders signed agreements on semiconductor and nuclear energy cooperation, marking concrete steps toward technological advancement. Furthermore, they agreed to pursue a memorandum of understanding on a training and employment program by the end of 2025, which could facilitate greater mobility for Vietnamese workers in Japan, where approximately 600,000 Vietnamese nationals already reside as technical interns or skilled workers.
Environmental sustainability was another area of consensus. Both leaders endorsed the Asia Zero Emission Community, a Japanese initiative to promote decarbonization across the region while ensuring economic growth. This cooperation aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and reflects a shared understanding that environmental challenges must be addressed alongside development goals. Collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and space development was also confirmed, positioning Japan and Vietnam as partners in innovation.
Navigating Regional Dynamics
The timing of this summit is notable, as China’s maritime expansion continues to unsettle its neighbors. Vietnam, with its long coastline and overlapping claims in the South China Sea, has often found itself at odds with Beijing over territorial sovereignty. Japan, while not a direct claimant, views stability in the region as vital to its own security and economic interests, given the South China Sea’s role as a critical trade route. The strengthened partnership between Hanoi and Tokyo could serve as a subtle counterweight to China’s influence, though both leaders were careful to frame their cooperation in terms of regional stability rather than confrontation.
Analysts suggest that Vietnam’s willingness to deepen security ties with Japan reflects a broader strategy of diversifying its international partnerships. While Hanoi maintains a delicate balance in its relations with major powers, including China and the United States, its engagement with Japan offers a less contentious avenue for enhancing its defense capabilities. For Japan, the partnership aligns with Prime Minister Ishiba’s foreign policy objectives, which prioritize coalition-building in Asia to address shared challenges.
However, the path forward is not without obstacles. Vietnam’s participation in Japan’s security assistance program, if realized, may draw scrutiny from China, potentially escalating tensions in an already volatile region. Additionally, economic cooperation, while promising, will require sustained investment and coordination to yield tangible benefits, particularly in high-tech sectors like semiconductors where Vietnam is still building expertise.
People-to-People Connections
The human dimension of Japan-Vietnam relations also received attention during the summit. The significant Vietnamese diaspora in Japan, numbering around 600,000 in 2024, represents a vital link between the two countries. Many of these individuals contribute to Japan’s economy as technical interns or skilled workers, often in industries facing labor shortages. The proposed memorandum of understanding on training and employment programs could further streamline this exchange, ensuring better conditions and opportunities for Vietnamese workers while meeting Japan’s labor needs.
This focus on human resources underscores the multifaceted nature of the Japan-Vietnam partnership. Beyond geopolitics and economics, the relationship is grounded in cultural and social ties that have grown over decades. Events like the Hanoi summit not only address strategic imperatives but also reinforce the personal connections that sustain bilateral goodwill.
Looking Ahead
As Japan and Vietnam prepare for their inaugural “two-plus-two” meeting later this year, the outcomes of the Hanoi summit offer a glimpse into the potential of their partnership. While the immediate focus is on security and economic collaboration, the broader implications for regional dynamics remain to be seen. Can this alliance help stabilize the Indo-Pacific amid competing interests, or will it invite unintended friction with other powers? For now, the commitment to dialogue and cooperation provides a foundation for addressing these uncertainties.
In Hanoi, the image of Prime Ministers Ishiba and Chinh standing side by side serves as a powerful symbol of shared resolve. As both nations navigate a complex geopolitical landscape, their strengthened ties may prove to be a critical anchor for peace and prosperity in the region.
