Kobayashi was officially reappointed as the Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office with the aim of continuing to bolster close cooperation between the two countries. He began his new term in Vietnam on April 1, 2025, marking his second assignment in the country, after his first tenure from 2005 to 2009.

After completing his first term and returning to JICA's headquarters in Tokyo, Kobayashi continued to oversee several projects related to Vietnam, including ODA-funded initiatives in port development, climate change, and the legal cooperation program launched by the late Professor Morishima Akio.

Kobayashi shared that Vietnam’s socio-economic situation has seen remarkable progress in recent years. The average income per capita has increased fourfold, from US$1,000 in 2008 to US$ 4,110 in 2023. Vietnam is projected to achieve high-middle-income status in the near future. The proportion of citizens with university education has grown from 20% in 2008 to 45% in 2022, while health insurance coverage has expanded from 57% in 2009 to 93% in 2023.

The Vietnam-Japan relationship has a long history, marked by many significant milestones. In 2009, the two countries upgraded their partnership to a "Strategic Partnership," which was further enhanced in 2014 to a “Deep and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia.”

In 2023, the partnership was elevated to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World." The number of Japanese companies investing in Vietnam has grown from 950 in 2008 to 2,394 in 2023, while there has been a marked rise in the number of Japanese nationals residing in Vietnam.

Kobayashi highlighted that JICA's cooperation activities in Vietnam, under Japan's development cooperation policy, have progressed with notable advancements.

One key achievement is the launch of Line 1 of Ho Chi Minh City’s urban railway, Vietnam's first subway system. In addition to developing new infrastructure, JICA has been involved in diverse projects across many sectors, including human resource development. The Vietnam-Japan University, established in 2014, now trains over 1,000 students, significantly contributing to human resource development in Vietnam and beyond.

Kobayashi also noted that the number of Vietnamese workers in Japan exceeded 570,000 in 2024. JICA is also focusing on emerging cooperation areas, particularly the protection of the rights of Vietnamese workers abroad.

He emphasized JICA's commitment to the spirit of "Nation Building" through "Human Resource Development" and "Heart-to-Heart Cooperation," stressing that this spirit remains steadfast despite any changing circumstances.

JICA aims to ensure its cooperation projects contribute not only to Vietnam’s socio-economic development but also help address Japan’s challenges, such as the reconstruction of its regions. Kobayashi reiterated his commitment to promoting cooperation, dialogue and links between the partners of both countries.

JICA vows to foster Vietnam – Japan comprehensive cooperation

VOV.VN - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged to make further efforts to contribute to Vietnam’s development through its ODA capital and to promote the recently established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Japan, according to Yuichi Sugano, chief representative of JICA – Vietnam Office.