HANOI: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Japan’s Financial Services Agency (JFSA) have stepped up cooperation on capital market development, with discussions focusing on regulatory frameworks for financial innovation, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), financial technology (fintech) supervision and workforce development.
A delegation from the MoF led by Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi met with JFSA representatives and the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission in Tokyo on Tuesday.
The visit forms part of a broader working trip by the MoF and the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) to Japan and South Korea to study practical experience in capital market development, new financial products and legal frameworks.
Their findings will contribute to draft amendments to Vietnam’s Securities Law.
Included in the delegation were deputy chairwoman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs Doan Thi Thanh Mai and SSC chairwoman Vu Thi Chan Phuong, along with representatives from the SSC, the Vietnam Exchange, the Hanoi Stock Exchange and other related agencies.
Vietnamese deputy finance minister said Japan’s experience and support had played an important role in helping Vietnam develop its regulatory framework and expand its securities market.
He expressed hope that the two sides would continue strengthening cooperation, particularly in policy development, market supervision, digital transformation and the introduction of new financial products.
Vice-commissioner for Strategy Development at JFSA Hiroshi Okada shared Japan’s experience in several areas of interest to Vietnam, including regulatory sandboxes for new financial products and services, market supervision models, ETFs and technology and algorithm-based financial services.
Okada said the country encourages financial innovation while placing investor protection, consumer interests and financial system stability at the centre of regulatory policy. He said that projects participating in Japan’s sandbox mechanism are still required to comply with the existing legal framework.
Regulators work alongside businesses from the earliest stages of product development, providing guidance and support throughout the implementation process.
The Japanese official also highlighted the importance of human capital in sustaining long-term market development.
According to Okada, building a skilled workforce requires long-term collaboration among regulators, financial institutions and the private sector through professional training, standardised qualifications and continuous improvements in industry expertise.
He expressed confidence that Vietnam’s stock market would continue to grow rapidly, citing the country’s determination to pursue reforms and its clear development strategy.
Okada also confirmed that the JFSA stands ready to expand cooperation and continue exchanging regulatory experience with Vietnamese authorities.
During a technical discussion session, JFSA experts introduced Japan’s experience in designing and operating regulatory sandbox mechanisms for innovative financial products and services.
They also presented the country’s Fintech Innovation Support Centre model, which serves as a platform to facilitate dialogue between regulators and fintech companies while supporting responsible innovation within the financial sector.
During the discussions, Ta Le Thanh, a full-time member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs, sought further insights into Japan’s experience in organising, operating and regulating the securities market, with particular emphasis on improving the legal framework. — Viet Nam News/ANN
