Japan and Vietnam strengthened bilateral startup collaboration with the Japan–Vietnam Fast Track Pitch 2025, held on January 27 in Vietnam as the second round of the ASEAN Fast Track Pitch series. The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization, together with Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance and the National Innovation Center.

186 participants joined the program both onsite and online. During the pitch session, 15 finalists presented their proposals in response to challenges posed by 6 Japanese and Vietnamese officials. These finalists were carefully selected from nearly 100 applications submitted worldwide during the recruitment period.

The pitch event forms part of the Japan–ASEAN Co-Creation Fast Track Initiative, launched in 2023 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN–Japan relations. Through the initiative, startups gain access to support from both Japanese and ASEAN government agencies, as well as connections to a broader regional ecosystem that includes large enterprises operating across ASEAN.

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