Vietnam-Japan trade surpasses $50 billion as exports surge, cooperation deepens in 2025
Trade between Vietnam and Japan reached a new high in 2025, supported by a strong upswing in Vietnamese agricultural exports and steady growth in imports of Japanese technology and machinery.
THE HANOI TIMES — Total two-way trade between Vietnam and Japan in 2025 rose 11% year on year to more than US$51 billion, the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan reported, citing data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
Imports and exports at Lach Huyen container port in the northern city of Haiphong. Photo: Vietnam News Agency
Vietnam’s exports to Japan increased about 9% to $26.8 billion, while imports from Japan climbed roughly 14% to around $24.7 billion.
By export structure, wood and wood products earned more than $2.2 billion, up over 23%, making them among the fastest-growing export items.
Seafood exports rose about 10% to nearly $1.7 billion, reflecting steady Japanese demand for Vietnamese fish, shrimp and processed seafood.
Agricultural exports posted the strongest gains. Coffee exports reached about $611 million, up nearly 47%, while fruit and vegetable shipments increased about 17% to roughly $238 million.
Cashew nut exports rose around 35% to nearly $86 million and pepper exports climbed about 26% to approximately $27 million, proving Vietnam’s ability to meet Japan’s strict quality and food safety standards.
Processed industrial goods continued to anchor export value. Textiles and garments totaled about $4.6 billion, vehicles and spare parts reached roughly $3.3 billion and footwear exports stood at around $1.6 billion.
On the import side, computers, electronic products and components reached about $8.4 billion, up more than 24%. Machinery, equipment and spare parts increased nearly 22% to around $4.9 billion.
Together, these groups accounted for almost 54% of Vietnam’s total imports from Japan.
Seafood imports from Japan also rose sharply, reaching about $306 million, up more than 44%. While still modest in scale, the increase points to a clearer trend toward two-way trade in the seafood sector.
According to Ta Duc Minh, trade counselor at the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan, 2025 marked the first year bilateral trade exceeded $50 billion, reflecting more sustainable growth in economic cooperation.
Minh credited the result to the guiding role of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in promoting bilateral trade.
Key drivers included effective implementation of major trade agreements, particularly the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, along with policies that help businesses use tariff preferences and integrate into value chains.
Building on this momentum, the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan strengthened its role as a bridge between the two business communities.
In 2025, the agency supported Vietnamese firms at major trade events such as Foodex Japan 2025, the Manufacturing Technology Trade Show, the Tokyo International Gift Show and the Japan DIY Homecenter Show.
Sector-focused exhibitions in textiles, building materials and interior decoration, together with Vietnam Festivals in Tokyo and Kanagawa, further expanded market connections.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan plans to intensify export promotion, diversify products and support businesses in brand development, technology transfer, digital transformation, green growth, clean energy and logistics to sustain trade growth.
