At the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan acknowledged and highly appreciated the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan in recent times, which has brought about many impressive and positive results. Currently, Vietnam and Japan maintain a comprehensive strategic partnership, cooperating in various fields such as economy, trade, investment, and labour, achieving significant outcomes.

According to the Deputy Minister, Vietnam is also collaborating with Japanese entities such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and others to implement conventions and negotiate the execution of matters related to worker training under Japan's new Employment Law, which is expected to take effect from 2027.

Notably, in December 2024, the leadership of the Ministry of MLISA conducted a working visit to Japan to directly engage with Japanese agencies and finalize fundamental principles for a MOU.

The Deputy Minister expressed hope that the MOU would serve as a new legal framework aligned with Japan's new laws, enhancing benefits and ensuring strict regulations for the training and skill development of Vietnamese interns and specified skilled workers.

Furthermore, the early signing of the MOUs would facilitate Vietnamese dispatch enterprises and Japanese host companies to adequately prepare and develop comprehensive plans for implementing the new laws starting in 2027.

The Deputy Minister expressed his hope that, following the signing of the MOU on promoting the dispatch and reception of Vietnamese workers in Mie, Governor Katsuyuki Ichimi would direct relevant agencies to develop more supportive policies and provide better assistance to Vietnamese interns and specified skilled workers living and working in the prefecture to realize the objectives of the MOU.

Extending his gratitude to the Ministry’s leadership, Governor Katsuyuki Ichimi shared his admiration for the Vietnamese people, praising their industriousness, diligence, hard work, dynamism, and strong learning spirit.

The Governor also noted that Mie is among the top three most friendly prefectures in Japan. Moreover, Mie offers natural conditions and living costs that are suitable for Vietnamese interns and specified skilled workers.

Currently, the prefecture is experiencing significant growth in industries such as electronic equipment manufacturing, semiconductors, shipbuilding, automation, and petrochemicals.

Recently, Mie Prefecture conducted a survey among local businesses, revealing that approximately 50% are facing labour shortages. Notably, nearly 50% of these businesses expressed a desire to receive Vietnamese interns and specified skilled workers in fields such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and medical services.

Governor Katsuyuki Ichimi has high hopes for the MOU, anticipating that it will strengthen the relationship between the two sides and help Mie address its labour shortage challenges. He highlighted that Vietnam could provide a youthful, dynamic, and skilled workforce to the prefecture.

Furthermore, the MOU is expected to help Vietnamese interns and specified skilled workers enhance their technical skills and significantly develop their personal capabilities, enabling them to return and contribute to Vietnam's development in the future./.