The agreement covers cooperation in industry, tourism, education and culture, agriculture, wood processing, renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and information technology (IT). Both sides committed to promoting information sharing, business opportunities, and sustainable development.
The signing took place during a meeting between Nguyễn Tuấn Thanh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee, and Ashikaga Mayor Naohide Hayakawa. The event was attended by Huỳnh Thúy Vân, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council, and leaders from provincial departments and agencies.
Thanh welcomed the Japanese delegation and highlighted Gia Lai’s strategic position as a connectivity hub linking Vietnam’s Central Highlands with the South Central Coast, Southern Laos, and Northeastern Cambodia. The province boasts modern transport infrastructure-road, air, and seaport systems, facilitating logistics, import-export, and regional integration.
He noted that Gia Lai has achieved strong economic growth in high-tech industries, renewable energy, eco-tourism, and agriculture, while preserving its rich ethnic cultural identity.
Thanh underscored that relations between Vietnam and Japan have evolved into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with Japan ranking as Vietnam’s third-largest foreign investor.
Japanese investment exceeds 77 billion USD (about 1.97 quadrillion VND) across more than 5,400 projects in energy, infrastructure, processing, and high technology.
Thanh emphasized that Ashikaga’s visit represents an important step to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation, expressing confidence that the memorandum will strengthen friendship and practical collaboration between the two localities.
Mayor Hayakawa thanked Gia Lai’s leaders for the warm reception and introduced Ashikaga as a green, sustainable city with strengths in high-tech industry, precision manufacturing, smart agriculture, and vocational training. He expressed hope for closer cooperation in developing human resources for food production, advanced agriculture, and manufacturing industries.
Hayakawa also noted that Tochigi Prefecture is one of Japan’s key centers for industry, education, and culture in the Kanto region, positioning Ashikaga as an ideal partner for Gia Lai in its economic modernization efforts.
Both sides pledged to turn the agreement into concrete programs that enhance economic and cultural exchanges, paving the way for long-term, sustainable cooperation.