Japan–Southeast Asia Market Forum 2025: 7 Key Takeaways for Companies and Professionals in Vietnam & Japan

GeneralNovember 17, 2025 11:13

Japan–Southeast Asia Market Forum 2025

Japan–Southeast Asia Market Forum 2025: 7 Key Takeaways for Companies and Professionals in Vietnam & Japan

This article is written in English for readers in Vietnam. Vietnamese and Japanese translations are available on our website. 

On 14 November 2025, government officials, global investors, Japanese corporates, and Southeast Asian business leaders gathered at Mandarin Oriental Singapore for the Japan–Southeast Asia Market Forum 2025, part of Japan Weeks 2025.

Organised by JPX (Tokyo Stock Exchange), JETRO, and Nikkei, this forum has become one of the most influential platforms shaping Japan–ASEAN economic collaboration, investment flows, and cross-border innovation.

Representing Reeracoen Group, Group CEO Kenji Naito attended the forum to gain insights that will directly influence Vietnam’s hiring landscape in 2026 — especially as Japanese companies continue expanding across Vietnam’s manufacturing, high-tech, banking, and sustainability sectors.

This year’s theme, “Path for Asia in the New World Order,” focused on navigating global uncertainty through stronger Japan–ASEAN partnerships.

Here are the 7 key takeaways that matter most for companies and professionals in Vietnam.

1) ASEAN Remains an FDI Magnet — and Vietnam Stands Out as a Growth Engine

Despite geopolitical tensions and global slowdowns, ASEAN continues to attract strong investment, recording US$229.8 billion in FDI in 2023.

While Singapore received the majority share, Vietnam remains one of the fastest-growing destinations for Japanese FDI, with continued inflows into:

  • high-tech manufacturing

  • automotive and mobility

  • semiconductors

  • renewable energy

  • supply chain diversification

For employers in Vietnam

  • Expect continued expansion of Japanese factories, innovation hubs, and regional service centres.

  • Demand for bilingual (JP–EN–VI) talent will intensify.

  • Leadership hiring in supply chain, ESG, quality, engineering, and HR will accelerate.

For professionals in Vietnam

  • Strong growth for roles linked to Japan: engineering, QA, procurement, accounting, planning, sustainability, and HRBP.

  • Workers with cross-border exposure and Japanese language skills (N2/N3) will gain a major advantage.

  • Regional mobility opportunities (Vietnam → Singapore/Japan) are increasing.

2) Japan Is Transforming Into a Global Asset Management Hub

Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) and JPX leaders highlighted Tokyo’s global ambition to attract more international investors.

Key reforms include:

  • Faster licensing for foreign asset managers

  • Stronger English disclosure standards

  • Simplified market segments (Prime, Standard, Growth)

  • Increased transparency through governance reforms

Japan’s inward FDI stock hit ¥50.5 trillion in 2023, and the government aims for ¥150 trillion by the mid-2030s.

Impact on Vietnam employers

  • More Japanese financial institutions will expand their Southeast Asia operations from Singapore and Vietnam.

  • Increased hiring for compliance, corporate governance, investment operations, and risk roles in Vietnam.

Impact on Vietnamese professionals

  • Finance talent with Japan exposure (or bilingual ability) will see rising demand.

  • Professionals with knowledge in ETFs, corporate governance, or ESG will stand out.

3) ETFs Are Becoming a New Japan–Asia Bridge

At the pre-event Japan ETFs: Expanding Horizons Across Asia summit, speakers emphasised how ETFs are transforming global access to Japanese equity and thematic markets.

Key themes included:

  • Robotics, semiconductor and ESG-linked ETF strategies

  • Execution excellence to attract global investors

  • Expansion of ETF distribution networks across Asia

Why this matters for Vietnam

As more global investors access Japan via ETFs, Vietnam-based roles in:

  • research

  • investor relations

  • financial analytics

  • sales/trading support

…are expected to grow, especially as Japanese institutions strengthen their presence across ASEAN.

4) Japan’s Corporate Governance Reforms Are Unlocking New Value

A major message: Japan’s corporate governance reforms are working.

Since 2022, the Tokyo Stock Exchange has required companies to improve:

  • English investor communications

  • TCFD-aligned sustainability disclosures

  • Capital efficiency and ROE

  • Engagement with global investors

Demand spikes for Vietnam-based professionals in:

  • ESG

  • investor relations

  • strategic planning

  • sustainability reporting

  • corporate governance

Global companies with VN–JP supply chains especially need talent who can meet rising reporting expectations.

5) Innovation and Decacorn Startups Are Creating New Roles Across Vietnam

The fireside chat with Keisuke Honda and the announcement of the TSE Asia Startup Hub highlighted Japan’s renewed push for innovation.

High-growth startups from:

  • Singapore

  • Vietnam

  • Malaysia

  • Taiwan

  • Korea

…are exploring cross-border partnerships and potential listings on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

For Vietnam’s workforce:

  • More roles in tech, mobility, product management, and digital sales

  • Vietnam engineers and product specialists are in high demand

  • Japanese innovation teams increasingly rely on ASEAN talent

  • Multilingual workers (VI–EN–JP) are particularly attractive

6) Geopolitics Is Now a Business-Critical Talent Issue

Panels by leaders from Nomura, BlackRock, S&P Dow Jones Indices, and macro strategists highlighted a new reality:

Geopolitical volatility is the default.

Major risks include:

  • US–China competition

  • Commodity and energy shocks

  • Supply chain fragmentation

  • Inflation gaps across regions

  • Tariff unpredictability under shifting US administrations

What this means for Vietnam employers

  • Workforce resilience planning is essential

  • Companies will prioritise risk, strategy, and treasury roles

  • Regional mobility and cross-border HR planning will expand

What this means for Vietnam professionals

  • Stronger demand for workers who can operate across markets

  • Higher value placed on analytical, strategic, and cross-border competency

7) Talent Is Driving Japan–ASEAN Economic Integration — Including Vietnam

JETRO’s survey shows 65.2 percent of Japanese companies in ASEAN expect profitability to increase, reinforcing long-term confidence in the region.

Across ASEAN, including Vietnam, hiring will be strongest in:

  • manufacturing and semiconductors

  • corporate banking and asset management

  • sustainability and ESG

  • digital transformation

  • regional HR and business operations

Reeracoen is uniquely positioned across Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan, enabling us to connect Vietnam talent with regional opportunities.

Recommended Actions for Companies & Professionals

For Employers in Vietnam

  • Strengthen your Japan–ASEAN leadership pipeline

  • Invest in bilingual and cross-border talent

  • Build stronger ESG, governance, and sustainability capability

  • Partner with experienced recruiters with VN–JP coverage

For Professionals in Vietnam

  • Build a “Vietnam + Japan + ASEAN” skill identity

  • Upskill in Japanese language (N3–N2), ESG, governance, or financial compliance

  • Explore roles linking Vietnam to Singapore and Japan

  • Seek opportunities in manufacturing, finance, technology, and sustainability

FAQ: Japan–Southeast Asia Market Forum 2025

1. What is the Japan–Southeast Asia Market Forum?

A strategic annual forum organised by JPX, JETRO, and Nikkei that brings together leaders from Japan and ASEAN to discuss investment, innovation, governance, and regional integration.

2. Why does this forum matter to Vietnam?

Japan remains one of Vietnam’s largest and most stable investors.

Insights from this forum directly influence future hiring, expansion, and talent needs in Vietnam.

3. What sectors will grow the fastest?

Manufacturing, semiconductors, sustainability, corporate banking, fintech, and cross-border HR.

4. How can professionals in Vietnam benefit?

Learning Japanese, gaining ASEAN exposure, and building skills in ESG, finance, or engineering will significantly enhance employability.

5. How can companies in Vietnam prepare for 2026?

By accelerating talent development, strengthening leadership pipelines, and enhancing cross-border capability with Japan.

Looking to hire bilingual or cross-border talent for Vietnam–Japan expansion?
 ➡️ Submit a Client Hiring Request

Interested in roles connected to Vietnam, Japan, and ASEAN markets?
 ➡️ Submit Your CV to Reeracoen Vietnam 

✅ Final Author Credit

  • By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager)

  • For Vietnamese translations, add: Translated by Nguyen Le (Anna) (Senior Marketing Executive)

  • Published by Reeracoen Vietnam — a leading recruitment agency in APAC.

🔗 Related Internal Articles 

  • Why Japanese Companies Continue to Invest in Vietnam

  • Vietnam’s Manufacturing Boom: What It Means for Engineering and Tech Talent

  • ESG Careers in Vietnam: Opportunities for Professionals in 2025 and Beyond

References 

  • Japan Weeks — Japan–Southeast Asia Market Forum 2025

https://www.fsa.go.jp/japanweeks/en/marketforum/

  • Japan–Southeast Asia Market Forum 2025 — Full Event Website

https://japanseamarketforum2025.com/

  • ASEAN Investment Report 2024 — FDI Flows

https://asean.org/our-communities/economic-community/asean-investment-report/

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