The request was made at a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki at the Government Office in Hanoi on March 17.

The Government leader thanked Japan for its continued support, including cooperation on the Vietnam Space Center, recently inaugurated, which he said marked a step forward in Vietnam’s efforts to develop and gradually master space technology. He expressed hope that Japan would continue supporting Vietnam in human resource training, financing and technology transfer in the space sector.

He said increasingly complex security developments in the Middle East, particularly risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, are affecting crude oil supplies to parts of Asia, including Vietnam and Japan.

In that context, PM Chinh asked Japan to provide crude oil from its reserves or allow the Nghi Son refinery to diversify feedstock sources from other partners. The refinery currently supplies about 35% of Vietnam’s fuel output.

He also requested that Japan allow Vietnam to access petroleum products as Tokyo considers releasing 80 million barrels from its reserves to ease the impact of Middle East tensions. This could include lending, purchases or advance arrangements under commercial contracts to help Vietnam address short-term supply difficulties.

The Government leader further called for faster progress on the O Mon II thermal power plant project to ensure it is ready to receive gas from Block B once production begins as planned.

Vietnam is a major importer of refined petroleum products, including Jet A-1 aviation fuel, he said, calling on Japan to help Vietnam access aviation fuel from its reserves in the spirit of the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He also said both countries should strengthen exchanges, promote high-level visits and expand cooperation in defence and security, as well as in areas such as artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles and data infrastructure, alongside tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

For his part, Ambassador Ito Naoki said he would convey Vietnam’s requests to the Japanese Prime Minister regarding the planned release of oil reserves, aimed at reducing the impact of the Middle East conflict.

He said Japan is calling on G7 countries to coordinate releases from their reserves to increase supply on the global oil market.

Describing the Nghi Son refinery as a symbol of Vietnam-Japan ties, Ito said Japan would continue to put in place mechanisms to help secure additional crude supply for the plant.

On the O Mon II project, he said implementation is progressing smoothly and that the first output from Block B could be produced in 2027.

The ambassador also called on Vietnam to remove obstacles for Japanese companies involved in LNG power projects in Quang Ninh, O Mon and Thai Binh.

The ambassador affirmed that Japan would continue to support and accompany Vietnam in achieving double-digit growth in the period ahead, with a focus on digital transformation, green transition, artificial intelligence and improving the quality of human resources.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister assigned ministries and Hanoi authorities to put in place mechanisms for the Vietnam-Japan University, focusing on doctoral training in data science, artificial intelligence and renewable energy.

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