Minister Do Duc Duy in a working session with Mr. Hatoyama Jiro, State Minister of the Cabinet Office for Ocean Policy, Japan

During the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy and State Minister of the Cabinet Office Hatoyama Jiro reviewed past collaborative efforts between their respective agencies. Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) has maintained close and effective partnerships with Japanese counterparts in the fields of resource and environmental management. A notable milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on marine and ocean policy cooperation on October 8, 2018, during the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s visit to Japan.

Since 2019, Vietnam and Japan have successfully conducted several Vietnam-Japan marine policy dialogues through both virtual and in-person formats.

Establishing a marine resource and environmental monitoring center

When discussing ocean policies, Minister Do Duc Duy and State Minister of the Cabinet Office Hatoyama Jiro noted significant similarities and shared objectives in their marine policy frameworks. Japan’s Basic Act on Ocean Policy, established in 2007, coincides with Vietnam’s 2007 Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW on its maritime strategy to 2020.

Japan revises its Basic Plan on Ocean Policy every five years, with the fourth version updated in 2023. In contrast, Vietnam enacted the Law of the Sea in 2012 and the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment in 2015. 

In recent years, the Vietnamese government has issued resolutions on sustainable marine economic development up to 2030, with a vision to 2045, and strategies for the sustainable exploitation and use of marine resources, looking ahead to 2050.

Minister Do Duc Duy praised Japan’s advanced maritime information storage and sharing systems (MDA and MSIL) and their application of automated robotic technology for marine management. He proposed that Japan support Vietnam in establishing a marine resource and environmental monitoring center based on Japan’s successful models.

Sharing policy experiences on climate change

State Minister of the Cabinet Office Hatoyama Jiro elaborated on Japan’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, including the introduction of the sixth Basic Energy Plan in October 2021.

Minister Do Duc Duy and his delegation in discussions with Mr. Hatoyama Jiro, State Minister of the Cabinet Office for Ocean Policy, Japan

Offshore wind power projects, primarily located along Japan’s coasts, are currently being tested as pilot initiatives before full-scale investment in offshore developments.

Minister Do Duc Duy expressed keen interest in Japan’s experience in drafting and implementing policies for offshore wind power projects in exclusive economic zones (EEZs). He hoped to learn from Japan’s strategies to achieve 10 million kW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 30–45 million kW by 2040.

Strengthening strategic cooperation

Minister Do Duc Duy expressed confidence that ongoing discussions, along with high-level cooperative programs such as Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s visit, would further strengthen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan. Specifically, he anticipated deeper collaboration between Vietnam’s MONRE and Japan’s Cabinet Office to address the challenges of sustainable marine economic development.

The Minister emphasized his commitment to working closely with Japan’s Cabinet Office, the National Ocean Policy Secretariat, and the Japanese Embassy in Hanoi. Priority initiatives include sharing expertise in ocean management, revising Vietnam’s marine and island resource laws, and implementing spatial planning for marine and coastal areas. Additionally, Vietnam seeks to promote green marine economic development, enhance marine environmental protection, and improve its capacity for marine resource investigation, monitoring, and management.

Ngoc Huyen (NRE Newspaper)