Japan and Vietnam agree to boost economic security and energy ties

Vietnam's President To Lam and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands during a joint press statement at Akasaka Palace on Monday. | POOL / VIA Reuters

Nov 9, 2026

Japan and Vietnam agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, defense and energy security as their leaders met in Tokyo on Monday, seeking to strengthen economic and strategic ties amid rising regional geopolitical and trade tensions.

“This visit to Japan will serve as an opportunity for cooperation between our two countries to advance significantly and robustly under our comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said after talks with Vietnamese President and General Secretary To Lam.

The two nations announced 10 deals and pledged to boost bilateral trade to as much as $100 billion by 2030 during the first visit by a Vietnamese Communist Party chief in 11 years. They also discussed gas-fired and LNG power generation projects involving Japanese companies, as well as nuclear energy cooperation, Takaichi said.

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