The delegation visited and held discussions with the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan.
A Bridge of Collaboration Between Vietnam and Japan
Vietnam is Japan's leading partner in green transformation
Speaking at the meeting with Mr. Akimoto Mashatoshi – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan and President of Japan Renewable Energy Association, Mr. Peter Hong, Member of the Central Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front, Vice Chairman, Permanent President, and General Secretary of BAOOV, introduced the Association and BAOOV’s contributions to the cause of building and defending the Vietnamese Fatherland. He expressed gratitude to the Government and local authorities of Japan for providing the most favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, study, and work over the years. He also expressed hope that the Japanese Government would continue to prioritize the well-being of Vietnamese people, particularly Vietnamese businessmen living and working in Japan.
The delegation and Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, Pham Quang Hieu, held discussions with Mr. Akimoto Mashatoshi - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan and President of the Japan Renewable Energy Association.
At the same time, there was an introduction and preliminary report on the timeframe, research results, testing, and implementation of the invention titled “System and method for producing hydrogen gas for internal combustion engines” (System And Method for producing Hydrogen Gas to supply Internal combustion Engines) – KOGI’s innovative green hydrogen gas generation technology with numerous notable advantages compared to other inventions and initiatives worldwide. This technology has been patented in the US. He expressed his desire for the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, who also serves as the President of Japan Renewable Energy Association, to study and present this invention to the National Assembly and Government of Japan. He further proposed strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in the field of renewable energy, reinstating the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, and supporting and introducing several major Japanese corporations, particularly Toyota Corporation, to collaborate with KOGI in developing, manufacturing, and widely implementing this technology globally. These efforts aim to effectively address the solutions put forth by COP26 and accelerate the fulfillment of the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Mr. Akimoto Mashatoshi highly appreciated the relationship between Vietnam and Japan over the past 50 years. This relationship is deepening as both countries intensify their activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the theme “Vietnam – Japan Companion, Towards the Future – Reaching the World Level”. Vietnam is Japan’s leading partner in green transformation. Regarding global energy security, the Deputy Minister emphasized that it is one of the pressing issues receiving special attention amid the complex developments of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict and the global economic downturn. Japan, as the host country of the successful G7 Open Summit, made the right choice by selecting Vietnam as the World Renewable Energy Center.
He was delighted to learn that Vietnamese individuals have made inventions in implementing solutions for ensuring energy security proposed by the G7 Conference. Additionally, it will facilitate the inspection, research, and cooperation of several Japanese corporations, including Toyota. He proposed submitting the research and inventions of the KOGI Group to the authorities and governments of both countries for policy support, creating favorable conditions for deep cooperation between the KOGI Group and various large Japanese corporations. This collaboration would involve extensive research, manufacturing, and widespread use of green hydrogen gas generation technology for internal combustion engines and self-charging battery production (during engine operation) for vehicles. The existence of mechanisms and favorable conditions established by the governments of both countries, allowing corporations and private companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to participate in research, production, and application of products serving the green and circular economy while ensuring environmental security. These efforts will contribute to helping Vietnam and Japan achieve the shared goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Pham Quang Hieu, stated that Japan holds the position of being Vietnam’s leading economic partner, the largest provider of official development assistance (ODA), the second partner in labor cooperation, the third largest investor, the third largest tourism partner, and the fourth largest commercial partner. The two countries also share common stances and engage in close and effective coordination in multilateral forums. Currently, the Vietnamese community in Japan comprises nearly 500,000 people, making it the second-largest expatriate community in Japan and the second-largest Vietnamese community worldwide. Among them, there are approximately 250,000 workers, trainees, and interns, around 50,000 international students, 60,000 engineers, and approximately 40,000 residents in Japan.
Vietnamese individuals currently reside, work, and study in 47 provinces and cities across Japan. The Vietnamese community in Japan predominantly consists of young and dynamic individuals, with an emerging group of entrepreneurs and a growing number of experts and intellectuals. They are steadfast in preserving their national identity, maintaining unity, and working towards the betterment of their homeland and country. The Ambassador expressed genuine surprise and delight upon learning that Vietnamese people have actively engaged in researching and inventing green hydrogen gas generation technology, an effective solution that contributes to global energy security. He expressed hope for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Japan to enhance cooperation and provide support to Vietnam in fulfilling its role as a global renewable energy center.
Cooperation in numerous fields contributes to the prosperous development of both countries
Discussing with the delegation regarding testing and consulting on the patent application process, brand protection, and strategies for selecting research, production, distribution, and product brand development partners in the market, Mr. Mizuki Shimane and Mr. Hajime Konagai, Senior Managers representing PwC Japan, provided detailed information and specific insights into the strategic endeavors of major global automobile corporations in the research and production of car engines utilizing green hydrogen and battery technologies. They also presented roadmaps and approaches for the KOGI Group to explore and establish efficient cooperation models with automotive manufacturing companies accordingly. Ms. Hino Mami, Patent Attorney from AIK Law Firm, elucidated the procedures and protocols involved in applying for Japanese patents for products targeting the Japanese market. Furthermore, she committed to collaborating, supporting, and expediting the application process for KOGI Corporation’s patent in Japan as promptly as possible.
The delegation collaborated with PwC Japan.
On behalf of the Japan Development Bank (JDB), Mr. Tsuguto Takeuchi, Senior Vice President of the Department of Growth and Cross-Border Investment, highly appreciated the achievements in Vietnam-Japan relations. The Japan Development Bank, a significant institution of the Japanese government, specializes in supporting Japanese companies operating domestically and internationally in various fields, including renewable energy, environmental protection, and combating climate change. Mr. Takeuchi expressed the commitment to effectively implement the cooperation agreements between the two countries in the future, increase capital support for Japanese investors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Vietnam. Additionally, he expressed readiness to support the pilot opening of the Financial Center in Vietnam and showed interest in exploring collaboration with several Vietnamese banks to assist Vietnamese citizens and workers in Japan with account opening and money transfers (remittances) to Vietnam. Furthermore, he expressed hope that BAOOV would serve as a reliable partner and an effective bridge for Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to invest in Vietnam.
At the meeting with the representative of Japan No. 01 Energy Corporation Idemitsu, Mr. Peter Hong expressed his wish for the Idemitsu Group to enhance cooperation with Vietnamese companies in the field of energy transformation and the green economy, particularly in the production of wood chips as a substitute for coal. He highlighted Vietnam’s abundant potential and availability of raw materials, given its vast hilly and forested areas suitable for cultivating eucalyptus, acacia, and other types of wood for pellet production. This approach would ensure environmental security, energy independence, economic stability, create job opportunities, and improve incomes for Vietnamese people, particularly those residing in remote areas. A representative from the Idemitsu Group mentioned that the group currently operates a company in Vietnam. To strengthen cooperation in energy transformation and the green economy, it is highly desirable for the Vietnamese Government and local authorities to provide favorable conditions for the group in all aspects, enabling them to expand their involvement in environmental energy-related sectors. Specifically, the representative emphasized the importance of increasing the number of tablet factories from one to twenty, with a production capacity of three million tons per year, to ensure long-term, stable, and sustainable supply to Japan from various locations in Vietnam.
The delegation collaborated with Idemitsu Corporation.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Minh, Chargé d’affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, highly appreciated the role played by overseas Vietnamese, particularly the Vietnamese business and intellectual community in Japan, in enhancing the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy and contributing to the deepening of the Vietnam-Japan relationship in the current situation. He emphasized and expressed gratitude to the BAOOV Standing Committee for their active and impactful efforts in implementing the Party’s foreign policy. Mr. Minh expressed the hope that Mr. Peter Hong would personally continue to provide support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in general and the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, by sharing strategic information in economic diplomacy and science and technology from various countries, as well as information regarding the activities of Vietnamese entrepreneurs and intellectuals worldwide. This would contribute to the growth of an expanding community of overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs globally. Mr. Minh also emphasized the importance of strengthening support for the Consulate General of Vietnam in FUKUOKA to organize the second global overseas Vietnamese economic forum in October 2023. This event would further contribute to the development of a friendship between Vietnam and Japan that is of high quality and reaches new heights.