May 7, 2026 Signing of Memorandum of Cooperation in the Fields of Information and Communications Technology and Digital Transformation with the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam

　On Saturday, May 2, 2026, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications signed the “Memorandum of Cooperation in the Fields of Information and Communications Technology and Digital Transformation” between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam with Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Minister for Science and Technology.

1 Background of the Signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation

　To date, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan has promoted cooperation with Vietnam in the field of information and communications based on the “Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Information and Communications” signed with the former Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam (※).

　Recently, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Minister for Science and Technology of Vietnam, also taking into account the “ASEAN–Japan Digital Ministers’ Joint Statement on Promoting Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence” adopted at the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting with Japan in January 2026, signed the new "Memorandum of Cooperation in the Fields of Information and Communications Technology and Digital Transformation" (hereinafter referred to as "MOC") with a view to strengthening inter-organizational cooperation among organizations in industry, academia and government across a wide range of areas related to information and communications technology and digital transformation, including AI. The exchange of original copies of the MOC took place on May 2, 2026, in the presence of the leaders of the two countries.

　※The former Ministry of Information and Communications was reorganized into the Ministry of Science and Technology on March 1, 2025.

2 Overview of the Memorandum of Cooperation

　The MOC identifies specific areas of cooperation, including AI, such as large language models and AI governance, Open RAN, digital infrastructure, emerging digital technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), and improving the Internet usage environment. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam are to strengthen cooperation between the two ministries, and to promote cooperation and exchanges among businesses, research and educational institutions, etc. in these fields.

3 Future Policy

　Based on this MOC, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan will further promote cooperation between the two countries in the fields of information and communications technology and digital transformation.