Japan and Vietnam Agree to Boost Critical Minerals Cooperation
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Vietnamese President To Lam agreed in Tokyo to speed up public-private work on critical minerals. Their joint statement also covers energy projects, nuclear power and defense equipment, as Japan seeks closer ties amid Chinese pressure.
Japan and Vietnam agreed to boost cooperation on critical minerals after talks in Tokyo on Monday, November 9, 2026, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said. She met Vietnamese President To Lam and called economic security a top priority in the bilateral relationship.
The two sides will speed up public-private work on the minerals. Vietnam is believed to have large reserves.
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.
A joint statement cited an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. It pledged deeper cooperation on defense, economic security and investment.
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."
On critical minerals, the two countries agreed to consider concrete projects to strengthen their supply chains.
Energy and security
The statement affirmed the importance of speeding up liquefied natural gas and gas-fired power projects backed by Japanese investment. The countries also agreed to advance cooperation on introducing nuclear power to Vietnam.
In May, they agreed to make Vietnam's Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex the first project under a Tokyo-led financing framework. The framework aims to secure stable energy supplies for Asian nations with limited strategic oil reserves.
On security, Japan and Vietnam agreed to consider swiftly providing equipment for United Nations peacekeeping operations. It would come under Japan's Official Security Assistance program, a defense equipment support framework for like-minded countries.
South China Sea and Indo-Pacific
The leaders 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.
Vietnam still takes a multidirectional approach to foreign policy and seeks balance in its relations, including with China.
Japan values Vietnam's support for its vision of a "free and open Indo-Pacific," seen as a counter to China's growing assertiveness. Takaichi unveiled an updated version of the concept during her visit to Vietnam about six months ago, when she first met Lam, who also heads the ruling Communist Party.
Before the meeting, Lam addressed Japan's House of Representatives. He said Vietnam "highly appreciates" that Takaichi unveiled the evolved concept in Hanoi, and that it "contributes to maintaining regional peace, as well as promoting cooperation and development in the Indo-Pacific in accordance with international law."
Lam and his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, are on a four-day visit to Japan through Wednesday. They will meet and have lunch with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace before returning to Vietnam.
