Vietnam seeks to receive more support programs from Japan for remote areas, Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion Dao Ngoc Dung said while meeting with Mr. Takebe Tsutomu, special advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, in Hanoi on March 12.
Minister Dung emphasized the need for more programs connecting Vietnam’s remote regions with Japanese organizations, similar to “IM Japan,” which has sent Vietnamese trainees to Japan since 2006.
He also called for Japan’s ODA to support underdeveloped areas, particularly in the Northwest, Central Highlands, and Southwest provinces. To enhance vocational education, Vietnam plans to expand boarding schools in these regions and integrate training with Japanese businesses, the minister added.
Endorsing these proposals, Mr. Takebe Tsutomu introduced the idea of a mobile-based certification system for Vietnamese workers in Japan, which could be linked to the Vietnam-Japan University. The university, currently pending approval, aims to be a leading research and vocational training institution in Asia.
He also recommended that Vietnam submit an official request for ODA to fund capacity-building projects in ethnic minority areas.
The official informed that Japan is preparing additional workforce development initiatives, including reskilling programs for returning Vietnamese trainees. Annually, 30,000-50,000 Vietnamese workers return from Japan, and those with at least N4-level Japanese proficiency qualify for further training. (VietnamNet, Thanh Tra)