Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu Visits Nagano Prefecture to Promote Economic and Human Resource Cooperation and Exchange

          From April 10th to 11th, 2026, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Japan, Pham Quang Hieu, and a delegation from the Embassy visited Nagano Prefecture to promote economic and human resource cooperation and exchange between Vietnam and Nagano Prefecture. In Nagano, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu, along with Governor Abe Shuichi, attended the founding ceremony of the Japan-Vietnam Economic and Human Resource Exchange Association of Nagano Prefecture, held a dialogue to discuss solutions to promote cooperation between Vietnam and Nagano Prefecture, and visited and encouraged Vietnamese workers at Marukin Company. Speaking at the founding ceremony of the Japan-Vietnam Economic and Human Resource Exchange Association of Nagano Prefecture, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu highly appreciated and sincerely thanked the Nagano Prefecture government and its businesses for their cooperation and support in establishing the Association. The Ambassador expressed his belief that the establishment of the Association would open a new phase of development in relations between Nagano Prefecture and Vietnam. Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu highly appreciated the Association's guiding principle of accepting foreign workers, welcoming those who abide by Japanese law as "good neighbors," working together, living together, and enjoying an orderly and civilized environment. The Ambassador believed that with the support of the Nagano Prefecture government and relevant agencies, the symbiotic society of Nagano Prefecture would soon be successfully built and become a model for other localities in Japan to follow. Accordingly, Vietnamese people in Nagano Prefecture in particular, and Japan in general, will have great opportunities to develop themselves, their families, and their careers, contributing to the socio-economic development of the prefecture and Japan. During a dialogue with Governor Abe Shuichi on opportunities and potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Nagano Prefecture, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu stated that Nagano was one of the first Japanese localities he visited after assuming office. The Ambassador expressed pleasure at the continuous development of multifaceted cooperation between Nagano Prefecture and Vietnam, noting that the Vietnamese community in the prefecture is the largest and is gradually establishing its position within the prefecture. Governor Abe Shuichi noted that Nagano Prefecture is facing the challenging issue of socio-economic development amidst a labor shortage. To address this, the prefecture prioritizes attracting and retaining workers, including foreign workers, to develop the local socio-economic landscape. Socio-economic development will support and create favorable conditions for workers to develop themselves and their careers locally. In discussing this policy, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu highly appreciated the prefecture's approach and strategies in overcoming the labor shortage and attracting foreign workers. The Ambassador stated that the vast majority of Vietnamese workers in Japan in general, and in Nagano Prefecture in particular, are diligent, abide by the law and local customs, and aspire to develop themselves and their careers locally. Vietnamese people living in Nagano, or any other locality in Japan, who are treated equally, respected, and tolerant, will consider that place "My Home." They will live, work, and contribute to the development and prosperity of "My Home." Later that same day, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu and the Embassy delegation visited and worked with Marukin Company, inquiring about and encouraging the Vietnamese workers employed there. The Ambassador kindly encouraged the Vietnamese workers to strive to learn Japanese, improve their skills, and comply with company regulations and local customs. At the same time, the Ambassador requested that the company and the labor union pay attention to and support workers in improving their Japanese language skills, interacting with and experiencing local culture, and participating in local cultural activities.

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu speaking at the Association's founding ceremony

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu in dialogue with Governor Abe

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu, Governor Abe, and the Association President

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu and his wife with Vietnamese workers