Japan’s PM Takaichi in Hanoi, to meet Vietnamese leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to meet Vietnam’s leader To Lam in Hanoi on Saturday as the countries try to shore up ties amid a sharp slowdown in Japanese investment in Vietnam. The two sides are expected to discuss ways to deepen a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2023, with a focus on cooperation in energy, technology, critical minerals and regional stability, a Japanese foreign ministry official said. Japan remains one of Vietnam’s largest foreign investors, with many Japanese multinationals operating large manufacturing facilities in the country. However, new Japanese investment pledges in the first quarter fell about 75% from a year earlier to $233 million, Vietnamese government data shows. Takaichi is expected to press for improvements in Vietnam’s business environment and discuss the challenges facing Japanese companies, including delayed payments for completed works and difficulties gaining access to large infrastructure projects, the official said.