Vietnamese seafood exports to Japan reached US$1.445 billion over the past ten months of the year, standing out despite a contracting Japanese market caused by inflation, a weakened yen, and subdued consumer spending.

Vietnamese tra fish (pangasius) is seeing surging demand in Japan, creating new opportunities for local exporters even as competition from Russia begins to emerge, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

The robust wave of investment from Japan is opening up breakthrough opportunities for Vietnam’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they pursue deeper integration and improved international competitiveness.

In the first six months of 2025, Japan’s average coffee import prices from major markets all increased, with imports from Viet Nam rising sharply by 67.5% with the same period in 2024, reaching 5,772 USD per tonne.

Japan is opening up many opportunities for Vietnamese businesses. However, to approach and exploit this market effectively, businesses need to be well prepared in terms of strategy, capacity, cultural understanding as well as grasping the consumption trends of local people.

The move demonstrates its commitment to supporting Vietnam in its goal of achieving net-zero emissions and promoting sustainable development.

Amid rising consumer demand in Japan for clean, traceable, and sustainable agricultural products, Vietnamese goods are seeing numerous opportunities to penetrate this selective market more deeply.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is scheduled to begin an official two-day visit to Vietnam on April 27, which is expected to add fresh impetus to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World that the two countries established in 2023.

Vietnam is committed to creating the most possible conditions for foreign businesses, including those from Japan, to operate efficiently in the country, affirmed National Assembly Tran Thanh Man.

The ongoing official visit to Japan by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse is expected to open up many opportunities for bilateral trade cooperation, said insiders.