Japan and Vietnam have agreed to speed up joint work on critical minerals, after talks in Tokyo between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Vietnamese President To Lam on Monday, 9 November 2026.

Takaichi, who called economic security a top priority in the relationship, said the two sides would accelerate public-private cooperation on the minerals. Vietnam is believed to hold large reserves of critical minerals, which are used in everything from electric vehicles to advanced electronics.

The meeting came as Japan seeks closer ties with Vietnam amid political and economic pressure from China, including restrictions on rare earth exports. Tokyo also wants to help Vietnam strengthen its energy supply network.

Energy, nuclear power and defence

A joint statement issued after the talks pledged deeper cooperation on defence, economic security and investment, citing an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

On energy, the statement affirmed the importance of speeding up liquefied natural gas and gas-fired power projects backed by Japanese investment. The two countries also agreed to advance cooperation on introducing nuclear power to Vietnam.

On security, Japan and Vietnam agreed to consider swiftly providing equipment for United Nations peacekeeping operations under Japan's Official Security Assistance programme, a framework for supporting the defence capabilities of like-minded countries.

South China Sea and the wider region

The leaders also shared concerns over developments in the South China Sea and stressed the importance of freedom of navigation, according to the joint statement, in an apparent reference to China. Both countries have faced territorial claims by Beijing, Japan in the East China Sea and Vietnam in the South China Sea.

Takaichi said the visit would let the countries "make great strides forward under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world." Lam described the talks as "substantive and extremely fruitful."

Before the meeting, Lam addressed Japan's House of Representatives, saying Vietnam "highly appreciates" that Takaichi unveiled an updated version of Japan's vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific during her visit to Vietnam about six months ago.

Business forum and tourism year

Lam also attended the Vietnam-Japan Public-Private Forum on Economic, Science and Technology Cooperation in Tokyo on 9 November, held under the theme of co-creating technologies and co-building future value chains. Cooperation documents were exchanged between Vietnamese and Japanese businesses, ministries and agencies, covering information technology, artificial intelligence and semiconductors, energy and the green transition, education, healthcare, finance, aviation and agriculture.

The forum also saw the announcement of a Vietnam-Japan Tourism Cooperation Year for 2027-2028.

Lam and his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, are on a four-day official visit to Japan through Wednesday, the first by a Vietnamese Communist Party chief in 11 years. They are due to meet Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace before returning to Vietnam.