In his opening remarks, Tran Phu Lu, Director of ITPC, recognised Japan’s role as a strategic partner and a key export market for Vietnam. He highlighted the steady growth in economic ties, especially following the upgrade of their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world in 2023.

Vietnam is an important trading partner for Japan, with bilateral trade turnover in 2024 reaching US$46.23 billion, up 2.78% from the previous year. Of the figure, Vietnamese exports to Japan amounted to US$24.61 billion, mainly comprising garments and textiles, machinery and equipment, wood and furniture, plastics, and means of transport.

Shiotani Yuichiro, general director of AEON TOPVALU Vietnam Co., Ltd., stated that businesses aiming to export products to AEON’s distribution network in Japan must meet certain criteria. These include owning a factory with an operating capacity of at least 75%, having operated for a minimum of five years, providing transparent financial reports for the past two periods, possessing export experience, and adhering to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) model.

At the seminar, delegates discussed various topics related to exporting to the Japanese market, including experiences with financial management and international payments; forms of financial support available for exporters; and solutions for logistics, customs clearance, and freight transport.

They also highlighted major challenges businesses face, such as technical barriers, strict environmental and labour regulations, competition with domestic products, and Japanese market demands for quality, design, and packaging.

In addition, the ITPC announced that the Ho Chi Minh City Festival in Japan 2025 will be held in Tokyo on November 1 - 2. The event will feature the Ho Chi Minh Pavilion, showcasing typical products with strong export potential to Japan.

Another Vietnamese rice brand enters Japanese market

VOV.VN - Tan Long Group Joint Stock Company (Tan Long Group), in collaboration with Japan’s Kiraboshi Bank, hosted a ceremony in Tokyo on October 9 to launch the A An rice, the second Vietnamese rice brand in the Japanese market.