Vietnam and Japan Deepen Cooperation on the Environment and Marine Economy
During Tô Lâm’s visit to Japan, Vietnam and Japan exchanged a memorandum on environmental cooperation and signed one on ocean policy. They plan to cooperate on carbon markets, waste management, marine research and offshore wind power. Vietnam also proposed joint research and technology transfer for rice straw treatment.
During General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Tô Lâm’s visit to Japan from November 8 to 11, 2026, Vietnam and Japan exchanged a memorandum of cooperation on the environment and signed a memorandum on ocean policy cooperation. Environmental cooperation will cover climate change responses, carbon markets and pollution control, while ocean cooperation will focus on marine research, environmental protection and the marine economy.
The environmental memorandum identifies eight areas of cooperation, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate adaptation, emissions measurement and verification, low carbon technologies, carbon markets, and the management of municipal solid waste, electronic waste and industrial waste. The two sides also plan to cooperate on water and air pollution control, marine plastic waste, environmental monitoring and biodiversity conservation, using policy dialogue, technology transfer and staff training to advance implementation.
At an earlier environmental policy dialogue in Tokyo, the two sides discussed the Joint Crediting Mechanism, greenhouse gas inventories, waste to energy generation and electronic waste management. They also focused on carbon credit projects in renewable energy, waste treatment and low emissions agriculture. Vietnam proposed joint research with Japan and technology transfer for treating rice straw after harvest. According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the country generates about 61 million tonnes of rice straw each year, nearly half of it in the Mekong Delta.
The ocean policy memorandum covers ocean governance and planning, marine research and ecosystem conservation, prevention and control of marine pollution, and the use of marine space and resources. The two sides plan to exchange ocean policies, digital maps and related technologies; conduct joint research on the deep sea and seabed resources; protect and restore marine ecosystems; and explore areas of the marine economy such as offshore wind power. Cooperation will be advanced through annual policy dialogues, expert exchanges and capacity building.
Source: VietVance
