President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology visits Japan, strengthening Vietnam-Japan cooperation in space technology
Advancing Space Technology Cooperation with Strategic Japanese Partners
On the morning of June 2, the delegation held a working session with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). President Châu Văn Minh met with Mr. Ibuki Hideaki, Director General of the Manufacturing Industries Bureau, along with other METI members. President Châu Văn Minh expressed gratitude to METI for its longstanding support, from the 2008 study on the Hoa Lac Space Center to Vietnam’s satellite projects. He then introduced the Government-Level Project “Enhancing National Capacity for Earth Observation through a Small Satellite System”, focusing on the development of the LOTUSat-2 satellite and infrastructure upgrades in Hoa Lac and Ho Chi Minh City, utilizing Japan’s ODA funding. President Châu Văn Minh emphasized that the LOTUSat-1 satellite project symbolizes the strategic cooperation in high-tech fields between the two nations, urging both sides to work closely to launch the satellite into orbit soon, thereby enhancing Vietnam’s Earth observation capabilities and development potential.
The President of VAST, along with the delegation and representatives from the Science and Technology Department of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, during the meeting with METI – Photo: VNSC
METI representatives expressed their gratitude to the VAST delegation for the visit and working session, acknowledging Vietnam’s understanding, support, and continued trust in Japanese technology. They affirmed their commitment to actively coordinate with Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and JAXA to accelerate the launch of the LOTUSat-1 satellite. Additionally, METI expressed its desire to collaborate with VAST to organize workshops and forums in the near future, fostering opportunities for Japanese startups to connect with Vietnamese partners, jointly develop satellite imagery services and data for end-users, and further strengthen bilateral relations.
Following this, the delegation met with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), holding discussions with Mr. Hayakawa Yuho, Director General of the Southeast Asia and Pacific Department, and the JICA team. President Châu Văn Minh emphasized that LOTUSat-1 is a symbol of the strategic cooperation in high-tech fields between the two nations, proposing that both sides coordinate closely to launch the satellite into orbit soon, thereby enhancing Vietnam’s Earth observation capabilities and development potential. JICA representatives expressed gratitude to President Châu Văn Minh for the visit and working session, appreciating Vietnam’s understanding, support, and trust in Japanese technology. Mr. Hayakawa affirmed JICA’s commitment to actively coordinate with the Japanese Government and JAXA to expedite the launch of the LOTUSat-1 satellite. Both sides also agreed to collaborate on capacity-building initiatives for satellite operation and image processing within the framework of a non-reimbursable ODA project, while proposing joint research for the Government-Level Project “Enhancing National Capacity for Earth Observation through a Small Satellite System”, promoting technology transfer and human resource training.
The President of VAST, along with the delegation and representatives from the Science and Technology Department of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, during the meeting with JICA – Photo: VNSC
In the afternoon of June 2, the delegation held a working session with Sumitomo Corporation and NEC Corporation, the primary contractors for the LOTUSat-1 project. The main focus of the session was VAST’s request for the contractors to closely coordinate to launch the LOTUSat-1 satellite into orbit soon, thereby enhancing Vietnam’s Earth observation capabilities and development potential.
Prior to this, on May 31, President Châu Văn Minh joined the delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng in a working session with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at the Tsukuba Space Center. JAXA presented the role of space technology in socio-economic development, the potential applications of data from the ALOS-2 satellite in disaster management, and the progress of cooperation with Vietnam. Both sides reviewed their robust partnership since 2006, when JAXA supported Vietnam in launching small satellites such as PicoDragon (2013), MicroDragon (2019), and NanoDragon (2021). These projects have enabled Vietnam to gradually build expertise in satellite design, manufacturing, and operation, while also training dozens of young experts through collaborative programs with Japanese research institutions. The LOTUSat-1 satellite project was highlighted as a symbol of the strategic cooperation in high-tech fields between the two nations. Both sides agreed to work closely to launch the satellite into orbit soon, thereby enhancing Vietnam’s Earth observation capabilities and supporting its sustainable development. The President of JAXA expressed deep appreciation for Vietnam’s understanding, support, and continued trust in Japanese technology, committing to exert maximum effort to ensure the safe and efficient launch of LOTUSat-1 at the earliest possible time. Additionally, the 2023-2028 cooperation agreement between VAST and JAXA was recognized as a strategic foundation, paving the way for the operation of the Vietnam Space Center, capacity building, and the implementation of space technology applications.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng emphasized that Vietnam is striving to address bottlenecks and unlock resources to achieve its two centennial goals and become a developed, high-income country by 2045. To this end, Vietnam has identified S&T, innovation, and digital transformation as key drivers for rapid and sustainable development, with space technology as a strategic field and satellites as a national strategic product.
The Deputy Prime Minister stated that, to further enhance the effectiveness of cooperation, JAXA should strengthen substantive collaboration in space technology and Earth observation satellites, focusing on human resource training and technology transfer. Additionally, JAXA should support VAST in successfully implementing the Government-Level Project “Enhancing National Capacity for Earth Observation through a Small Satellite System”, and assist in improving Vietnam’s forecasting, early warning, and effective response to extreme weather events by utilizing Japan’s advanced satellite data, particularly from the ALOS-2 radar system. He expressed hope that space technology cooperation between Vietnam and Japan would achieve new milestones, contributing to advancing the S&T pillar within the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
JAXA representative presenting the ALOS-2 satellite to Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng, President of VAST, and the Government delegation – Photo: VNSC
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng, President of VAST, and the Government delegation during the meeting with JAXA – Photo: VGP/Thu Sa
Some photos of the President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology during his working visit to Japan:
| Tsukuba Space Center (Tsukuba Space Center - TKSC) The Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) of JAXA, located in Tsukuba Science City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, was established in 1972. Spanning 53 hectares, TKSC is Japan’s largest space research and operations facility, equipped with world-class testing facilities and equipment. The center undertakes critical tasks such as satellite development and operation—“eyes from space”—along with Earth observation data analysis, management of the Kibo experimental module on the International Space Station (ISS), astronaut training, and the promotion of manned space activities. Additionally, the center develops launch vehicles and space transportation systems while advancing space technology research. Readers in Vietnam can learn more through JAXA’s official website or collaborative programs with VAST. |
Side Events
On May 31, President Châu Văn Minh joined the delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng in a meeting with Governor Yamamoto Ichita of Gunma Prefecture, discussing prospects for cooperation in economics, education, and culture. On the same day, at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, the Deputy Prime Minister attended the Vietnam Festival—a vibrant cultural exchange event with over 100 booths, fostering economic, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. In the evening of May 31, the delegation participated in an event connecting Vietnamese scientists in Japan, establishing a platform to enhance research collaboration and technology transfer, and building a Vietnam-Japan Science and Technology network.
