Japan, Vietnam sign agreements on semiconductors, clean energy

Japan's Ishiba strengthens ties with Vietnam, focusing on semiconductor industry and clean energy cooperation amid U.S. tariff tensions.

Japan and Vietnam agreed Monday (April 28, 2025) to deepen cooperation on semiconductors and clean energy as Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited Hanoi seeking to shore up ties after U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught.

Ishiba's visit – part of a four-day trip to the region that also includes the Philippines – follows Chinese President Xi Jinping's Southeast Asia tour in which he tried to position Beijing as a stable alternative to the United States.

Mr. Ishiba and Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed four agreements Monday (April 28, 2025), including on research and development in microchips and on bilateral cooperation in energy transition.

Japan agreed to support the training of around 250 Vietnamese doctorate students in the semiconductor industry, according to the two leaders.

Long viewed as a low-cost destination to make clothes, shoes and furniture, Vietnam is now eyeing a rapid climb up the global supply chain and has put computer chips at the heart of its development plans.

Before the trip, Ishiba called Vietnam and the Philippines – along with the rest of Southeast Asia – a "growth centre" that is driving the world economy, but said they and Japanese businesses in the region faced "major impacts" from Trump's tariffs.

Vietnam and Japan are included in Mr. Trump's blanket 10% levy, although the U.S. leader has paused his reciprocal duties of 46% and 24% respectively on the countries.