Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Nagao Yutaka, president of Japan’s Yamato Holdings, on Monday during his visit to the Southeast Asian nation, where they discussed expanding cooperation in logistics, AI, and driver training.

As one of Japan’s leading logistics companies, Yamato Holdings dominates 46 percent of the home delivery market in Japan, operating across 7,000 offices in 23 countries, with an annual revenue of US$10 billion.

Recognizing Vietnam’s immense potential in logistics and workforce development, Yamato plans to establish a professional driver training center in Vietnam to supply skilled drivers to the Japanese market, addressing Japan’s aging workforce challenge.

The company also aims to open an AI research lab to integrate big data, AI, and digital transformation into logistics and transportation, particularly in the semiconductor supply chain logistics.

PM Chinh expressed strong support for Yamato’s projects, particularly its partnership with Vietnamese tech giant FPT Corporation, emphasizing that Japan remains one of Vietnam’s top economic partners in trade and investment.

Vietnam’s logistics sector holds strategic advantages, including a 100-million population, 17 free trade agreements covering over 60 economies, and a highly open export-driven economy. 

However, logistics costs remain high at 17-18 percent of GDP, limiting competitiveness.

To address this, the Vietnamese government has identified transport infrastructure as a key strategic breakthrough, aiming to lower logistics costs and boost economic competitiveness.

With its prime geographical position in one of the world’s most active trade corridors, Vietnam has the potential to become a regional logistics hub.

The top Vietnamese official urged Yamato to expand its investment in green logistics, transportation, finance, insurance, and IT. 

He also encouraged the adoption of smart logistics management and digital transformation, allowing Vietnam to deepen its integration into regional and global supply chains.

The Vietnamese government invited Yamato Holdings to collaborate on the development of a logistics center at Gia Binh International Airport in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, a newly launched project set to enhance the country’s cargo handling capacity.

PM Chinh called on Yamato to connect Japanese investors with Vietnam’s logistics sector, attract financial investment, and support the growth of a high-quality logistics workforce. 

He proposed that the company offer scholarships and training programs in collaboration with Vietnamese and international institutions.

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