Japanese businesses seek to boost investment, production cooperation in Ho Chi Minh City

They made the remarks on Thursday at the 2026 Japan Investment Promotion Conference in Ho Chi Minh City, held by the municipal Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) in coordination with Gunma Bank, a leading regional bank in Japan.

The event brought together businesses from both countries to explore cooperation in manufacturing, supporting industries, automotive components, agriculture, food processing, trade, services and labor supply.

Seeking expanded cooperation in investment, production and human resources

Akihiko Fukai, president and representative director of Gunma Bank, said he hoped the event would generate new opportunities for Japanese and Vietnamese companies to expand cooperation in investment, business and production.

Vietnam is currently the most active overseas market for Gunma Bank's corporate clients, he noted.

In manufacturing, Vietnam is strengthening its position in the automotive, electronics and garment industries, supported by its abundant workforce and geographical advantages, Fukai said.

Opportunities for stronger investment ties are also emerging in information technology, digital services, tourism, hospitality and business process outsourcing (BPO).

Human resources are among Vietnam's major advantages, Fukai said.

He noted that while Gunma businesses previously focused mainly on recruiting local workers for manufacturing, their needs had expanded to include information technology and digital specialists, as well as skilled personnel in engineering, economics and social sciences.

Meanwhile, Yoshinori Wakatabe, president and representative director of Yosen Kogyo, said his company had more than 10 years of experience doing business in Vietnam.

Yosen Kogyo has established a legal entity in Vietnam and opened its first food outlet in Hanoi last month, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Wakatabe said the rapid development of Ho Chi Minh City and its young population had prompted him to consider expanding his company's business activities in the city.

Cao Thi Phi Van, deputy director of the ITPC, said Japan has strengths in technology, machinery, materials and quality management, while businesses in Ho Chi Minh City have capabilities in manufacturing, processing and supplying goods.

These complementary strengths create opportunities for Japanese and Ho Chi Minh City businesses to forge production partnerships in supporting industries, electronics and semiconductors, automobiles and green transportation, new materials, textiles and footwear, food processing, and the circular economy.

Such partnerships would also give local businesses opportunities to access new technologies and participate more deeply in Japanese supply chains, she said.

Japanese businesses call for clearer policy guidance

Despite their positive assessment of the city's market potential, Japanese business representatives said they wanted more support with investment procedures, land access and incentive policies.

Wakatabe said Japanese businesses exploring investment or expansion opportunities in Vietnam still faced many issues they did not fully understand.

He proposed that relevant authorities provide more information, clarify regulations and offer guidance to businesses.

Tax incentives and support with land access would also make it easier for companies to establish factories in Vietnam, he added.

Fukai said Gunma Bank had established a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City, with permanent staff to coordinate and help Japanese businesses connect with Vietnamese government agencies.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the government of the Japanese province of Gunma and Gunma Bank have organized an economic promotion delegation to Vietnam to seek further cooperation opportunities between businesses from the two countries.

Japanese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Ono Masuo underscored that Vietnam's development was indispensable to strengthening Japan's economic supply chains, including in advanced technology sectors such as semiconductors.