Vietnam and Japan deepen healthcare ties with technology focus

Vietnam and Japan have moved to strengthen bilateral healthcare cooperation, with digital transformation, specialist training, and advanced medical technology among the priorities identified in high-level talks in Hanoi.

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh received Higashiue Shinichi, Chairman of Japan’s Tokushukai Medical Group, alongside representatives of Vietnamese technology company FPT Corporation on 19 May, with discussions centred on expanding practical cooperation across the two countries’ health systems.

The meeting coincided with a visit to Vietnam by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and follows the elevation of Vietnam-Japan relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2023.

A cooperation agreement between FPT Corporation and Tokushukai covering the period 2026 to 2029 was welcomed at the meeting. FPT has been active in deploying digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications in hospital management, diagnostic support, and healthcare services across Vietnam.

Discussions covered a range of specialist areas where closer collaboration was sought, including cardiology, oncology, dialysis, organ transplantation, cardiovascular care, cancer treatment, and elderly care. Both sides also discussed the development of high-tech medical centres in major Vietnamese cities and the transfer of healthcare facility management practices.

Workforce development featured prominently, with calls for expanded training programmes and hands-on placements in both countries. Nguyen Thi Thanh noted that Vietnam’s healthcare workforce was expected to meet high professional standards and that the country required policy mechanisms to support human resource development in the sector.

Higashiue said Tokushukai was committed to implementing the agreed cooperation initiatives with FPT and indicated the group was prepared to expand its engagement with Vietnamese partners.