Key facts
- Japan and Vietnam signed deals covering energy, artificial intelligence and other fields, Nikkei Asia reported.
- A memorandum on introducing small modular reactor technology in Vietnam from as early as 2040 was among the planned agreements, Nikkei Asia reported.
- Japan will help with technology transfer and training so Vietnam can access advanced nuclear power technology, Nikkei Asia reported.
- A loan agreement for a high-efficiency combined-cycle gas turbine plant in southern Vietnam was also expected, Nikkei Asia reported.
- An AI research and development memorandum was expected to support Vietnam's plan to train 100 doctoral-level AI experts, Nikkei Asia reported.
- Lam's four-day visit to Japan runs through Wednesday, when he is to meet Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
Japan and Vietnam signed agreements on November 9 to deepen cooperation in energy, artificial intelligence and other fields during Vietnamese President To Lam's visit to Tokyo, Nikkei Asia reported. The visit is the first to Japan by a sitting Communist Party chief in 11 years.
Among the planned agreements, Nikkei Asia reported, was a memorandum on introducing small modular reactor technology in Vietnam from as early as 2040, with Japan helping on technology transfer and training so Vietnam can access advanced nuclear power technology. A loan agreement for a high-efficiency combined-cycle gas turbine power plant in southern Vietnam was also expected, along with an AI research and development memorandum supporting Vietnam's plan to train 100 doctoral-level AI experts.
Ahead of the leaders' meeting at the State Guest House in Tokyo, Lam addressed the House of Representatives and said Vietnam "highly appreciates" that Takaichi unveiled an evolved free and open Indo-Pacific concept in Hanoi. Lam said Vietnam supports the concept as one that "contributes to maintaining regional peace, as well as promoting cooperation and development in the Indo-Pacific in accordance with international law."
In May, the two countries agreed to make Vietnam's Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex the first project under a Tokyo-led financing framework aimed at ensuring stable energy supplies for Asian nations with limited strategic oil reserves, and to strengthen supply chains for rare earths in Vietnam. Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly are on a four-day visit to Japan through Wednesday, when they are to meet and have lunch with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace before returning to Vietnam.