Tokyo (VNA)ꩵ – The cooperation between Japan and Vietnam is spotlighted in Japan’s new defense white paper 2024 released on July 12.
Regarding defence exchanges and cooperation with Vietnam, the white paper emphasised that after the two countries upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world in November 2023, the two sides have made strong developments in the field of defence and security.
The two sides are promoting procedures towards transferring defence equipment and technology as well as discussing Official Security Assistance (OSA) and further expanding defence exchange and cooperation activities.
The paper, released on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), reviewed the development of the JSDF, particularly in the last ten years, toward meeting new requirements of rapidly changing world and regional situations.
Regarding the security environment surrounding Japan, the white paper said that the international community is facing the biggest security challenges since the World War II. It emphasised that the type of hybrid warfare will become more complex. Notably, according to the paper, global security challenges are emerging in the Indo-Pacific region and may develop more unpredictably.
Issues related to the East Sea directly affect peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and are a legitimate concern of not only Japan but also the international community, it noted.
This year's version still reserves 40 pages to mention Japan-US alliance cooperation, but uses 70 pages, instead of 50 in last year's version to describe Japan's defence and security relationships with 51 countries and organisations. Four countries were added to the list of countries promoting security and defence cooperation with Japan, including Latvia and Lithuania in the Nordic and Baltic region, Romania in Southeast Europe, and Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
In particular, for the first time the paper clearly stated that the Republic of Korea (RoK) is an important neighbouring country with which Japan needs to strengthen cooperation as a partner, reflecting positive results in improving Japan- RoK relations in the field of security under the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol./.
A seminar in Tokyo on July 9 brought together Vietnamese and Japanese stakeholders to explore opportunities for collaboration in the burgeoning semiconductor industry.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 9 affirmed that Vietnam is always ready to coordinate with Japan and other members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in implementing the CPTPP to improve its efficiency and bring more benefits to businesses and people, and increase the CPTPP’s role in regional and global trade.
Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Japanese Minister in charge of CPTPP Shindo Yoshitaka have pledged to work closely together to improve the effectiveness of the CPTPP implementation, aiming to bring greater benefits to businesses and citizens while also elevating the deal's role in global and regional trade.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
