On March 31, Vu Dai Thang, member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, received Wakabayashi Koichi, Chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI) and President of the Waseda Alumni Association in Hanoi, for a courtesy visit and discussions on cooperation.

At the meeting, JCCI Chairman Wakabayashi Koichi stated that Hanoi is currently an attractive destination for Japanese investors, primarily in manufacturing, industry and services.

According to Wakabayashi, the Japanese business community is particularly concerned about expanding production and business activities in the capital and shaping future investment strategies.

Japanese enterprises also seek to strengthen connections with Vietnamese authorities in general and Hanoi in particular to expand operations in the coming period.

JCCI leaders expressed their desire to stay updated on Hanoi's development orientation, enabling Japanese businesses to continue accompanying and contributing to the city's growth.

In his role as President of the Waseda Alumni Association in Hanoi, Wakabayashi noted that Waseda University has attracted a growing number of international students, including many from Vietnam, contributing to stronger ties between Japan and Vietnam, as well as with Hanoi.

He expressed hope that Hanoi will continue facilitating cooperation in education and training with Japanese partners, particularly Waseda University.

Welcoming the strengthening traditional relationship between Vietnam and Japan, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang agreed with the proposals from JCCI.

He stated that Hanoi is actively promoting international cooperation and investment connections with global partners, including Japan.

Potential areas such as green energy, low-emission zones and public transportation systems, areas of strong interest to Japanese businesses, are being actively discussed and promoted for cooperation.

Thang also shared that several key frameworks shaping the capital's development are being introduced, including Politburo Resolution No. 02 dated March 17, 2026, the draft revised Capital Law and the Hanoi master plan with a 100-year vision. These serve as a roadmap for building a civilized, cultured and modern capital.

On this basis, he expressed hope that the Japanese business community will further expand cooperation in both traditional sectors and emerging areas such as data, technology, digital economy and urban infrastructure, contributing to a smart and sustainable Hanoi.

Regarding JCCI's role, Thang encouraged the organization to continue acting as a bridge, promptly conveying the concerns and aspirations of Japanese businesses, thereby helping improve the investment environment and promote bilateral development cooperation.

Hanoi's leadership also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding cooperation with Japan in education, cultural exchange and people-to-people ties, further strengthening friendship and elevating the Vietnam–Japan relations.