JFIR-VASS Roundtable Meeting
“Japan – Vietnam Experience of Responding New Regional and International Issues”
On October 10, the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) hosted the Roundtable Meeting entitled “Japan - Vietnam Experience of Responding New Regional and International Issues,” inviting researchers from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) who were visiting Japan. A summary of the seminar is as follows.
１．Time & Date: 10:00-11:30, Friday, October 10, 2025
２．Place: Conference room of JFIR
３．Participant:
【The Japan Forum on International Relations: JFIR】
KIKUCHI Yona Executive Director, JFIR
ITO Go Distinguished Research Fellow, JFIR / Professor, Meiji University
YATSUZUKA Masaaki Senior Research Fellow in the National Institute for Defense Studies
MIURA Hideyuk Professor, Kyorin University
FUJII Takeshi Deputy Head of Intelligence and Research Office,
Corporate Planning Division, MUFG Bank, Ltd.
Peti Phyu Sin Intern, JFIR
【The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences: VASS】
Nguyen Xuan Trung Director General, Institute for South Asian,
West Asian and African Studies (ISAWAA), VASS – Leader of the delegation.
Ha Thi Hong Van Deputy Director General, Institute of Vietnam and World Economy, VASS
Nguyen Lan Huong Director, Center of American and Canadian Studies,
Institute of European and American Studies, VASS
Nguyen Thi Hien Researcher, Center for the Advanced Study of India,
Institute of South Asian, West Asian and African Studies, VASS
（Program appearance order）
4. Program:
※Moderator: ITO Go, Distinguished Research Fellow, JFIR / Professor, Meiji University
Welcome Greeting: KIKUCHI Yona, Executive Director, JFIR
Keynote speech
Nguyen Xuan Trung, Director-General, Institute for South Asian, West Asian and African Studies,
Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS)
Ha Thi Hong Van, Deputy Director-General, Institute of Vietnam and World Economy,
Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS)
MIURA Hideyuki, Professor, Kyorin University
Discussion
Closing: ITO Go, Distinguished Research Fellow, JFIR / Professor, Meiji University
７．Summary of Discussion:
At the Roundtable, participants from both sides delivered presentations and engaged in exchanges of views on current regional and international issues, as well as on Japan’s and Vietnam’s respective initiatives in addressing international challenges.
From the Vietnamese side, it was stated that the current relationship between Japan and Vietnam, which has been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, is in an excellent state. Japan remains Vietnam’s largest bilateral donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA), while Vietnam is recognized internationally as one of the most effective users of ODA. Vietnam has utilized Japan’s assistance not only as a source of capital but also as a means to ensure its political and economic stability.
The bilateral relationship has been further strengthened by the strategic convergence between the two countries amid the increasingly complex geopolitical environment of the region. Both sides share a common interest in maintaining peace, stability, and adherence to international law, including with respect to maritime issues such as those in the South China Sea.
It was further emphasized that Japan and Vietnam should make continued efforts to elevate their relationship to a new stage. In particular, both sides should promote mixed financing mechanisms through public–private partnerships (PPP) in order to ensure the sustainability and quality of development projects, and to position the Japan–Vietnam relationship as a significant contributor to peace and prosperity in the region and the wider Asia–Pacific.