Japan's leading transport firm eyes forming driver training center, AI lab in Vietnam

Yamato Holdings, which holds approximately 46% of Japan’s home delivery market, intends to set up a professional driver training center in Vietnam to supply human resources to Japan, said its president Nagao Yutaka.

Meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on Monday, Nagao stated that his firm plans to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory to research and apply AI, big data, and digital transformation in the transportation industry, serving Vietnam's semiconductor industry.

Commending the company’s ongoing projects in collaboration with Vietnamese tech giant FPT Corporation, the PM expressed confidence that they will significantly contribute to Vietnam’s logistics sector and strengthen the two countries’ economic cooperation.

He asked Yamato Holdings to expand its business investment activities in Vietnam, with faster speed, higher efficiency, and a double-digit growth rate, not only in logistics and green transport but also in areas where the firm holds strengths such as finance, insurance and information technology.

The Japanese company was urged to support investment attraction in Vietnam’s logistics industry, promote financial and green development funding from Japan, and collaborate with Vietnamese institutions to train high-quality human resources, particularly for the logistics sector.

The cabinet leader also suggested the Japanese firm establish a logistics centre near the Gia Binh International Airport in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

Additionally, he called for closer cooperation between Yamato Holdings and Vietnamese enterprises, especially FPT, to apply cutting-edge technology, enhance competitiveness, and promote sustainable growth in Vietnam’s transportation sector.

The Prime Minister suggested Yamato Group cooperate with, support, and transfer technology to Vietnamese partners, helping them with applying the most advanced technologies, digital transformation, and smart management in the transportation industry. This will help Vietnam engage more deeply in the regional and global supply chains, he noted.

“The Vietnamese government will continue to support and create favorable conditions for Japanese businesses in general and Yamato Holdings in particular to carry out effective and sustainable business investment activities in Vietnam,” the PM stressed.